
Class ||J7_S_L 

Book &l 



Gopght'N?.. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Cbe farmers' 
Uetertnary Guide 

A Practical Treatise on the 

Diseases of Domestic Animals, 

With Instructions for Diagnosis and Treatment. 



Compiled from the Best and Ablest Authorities, Supple- 
mented by Counsel from an Experienced 
Staff of Veterinary Surgeons. 



&% 



Published by 

THE FARMERS' PROTECTIVE DIRECTORY COMPANY, 

Kansas City, U. S. A. 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 
MAY 10 !90r 
*v Copyright Entry 

CLASS0 A XXc, H6. 

/7?0 (of 

COPY B. 



JOURNAL COMPANY 



^5 ...PRINTERS. 



LAWRENCE, KANS. 






DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Their Causes: How to Know and How to Cure Them. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The various diseases of which the horse is subject, embrace nearly all those 
affecting the human family and including among them, as most common, diseases 
of the skin and its integuments, those of the muscles, of the ligaments, and of 
the bones, quite rare in the human family, and to which the horse might be com- 
pletely exempt, were it not for the ignorance, and in very many cases, the bru- 
tality of the master in over-driving, over-weighting, leaping, beating, neglect in 
clothing when heated, carlessness in grooming, want of proper ventilation in 
stables, and the withholding of proper and sufficient food. Take away these 
causes of disease and the labors of the veterinary surgeon would be light. We 
should see but little of caries of the bones, causing degeneration of the substance ; 
of spavin, curb, ringbone, splint; of injuries of the sinews and tendons, causing 
breaking down ; swelling and other of the most serious affections ; poll evil and 
other fistulous diseases; of fractures; of rheumatism; founder, including grease, 
inflamed glands and veins, cracks of the hoofs, quittor, hernia, and all that class 
of diseases attacking the faithful servant of man, and henceforth rendering him 
useless for the purposes of pleasure or profitable labor. Instead of ending the 
sufferings of the tortured animal by mercifully taking its life, many owners 
for the sake of the few paltry dollars received, transfer the once favorite steed 
to some one else equally inhuman, who thenceforth drives and goads the sufferer 
to labor under the most torturing circumstances, until the animal economy, en- 
tirely disorganized, perhaps by years of such unmitigated torture, droops, and 
dies. 

The object of this treatise is to so enlighten the horse owner in the nature 
of disease as to enable him to determine whether treatment can be made effec- 
tive — if so, what to do; and especially is it the purpose to so acquaint him with 
the causes, that occasion for treatment may be averted. By a study of the facts 



4 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

we give it may be easily known whether cure is possible, and if not it is more 
merciful to kill and end the misery of the poor animal. 

For all the diseases we have mentioned but little medicine is needed. Rest 
and nursing are most needed — often months of rest and care, as in the case of 
spavin, commencing in inflammation and ending in the deposition of bony mat- 
ter, stiffening of the joint, or, as in the case of exostosis of the heads of the 
bones, they in time become quite anchylosed, when lameness ceases from the sus- 
pension of action of the joints caused by their compelte solidification or grow- 
ing together. 

That the reader may form a more correct idea of what we here write, and 
have it brought plainly to view, we present an illustration of some of the princi- 
pal diseases of the bones and tissues, caused generally by abuse, with a short 
description of their origin. The treatment will be given in the proper place. 

Caries of the Jaw. Ulceration of the lower jaw, sometimes ends in mortifi- 
cation. Caused by bruises from barbarous bits and curb chains. 

Fistula of the Parotid Duct. Fistulas are caused by bruises or undue com- 
pression of the parts producing inflammation and abcess. 

Bony Excrescence (Exostosis of the jaw). A blow upon a bone will pro- 
duce inflammation followed by exostosis (bony growth through increased nu- 
trition) — that of the joints being fearfully painful. 

Swelling by pressure of the bridle, causing inflammation, and sometimes 
tumors. 

Poll Evil A painful fistulous disease, often difficult to cure. 

Inflamed Parotid Gland. Caused by a bruise or compression. 

Inflamed Jugular Vein. Caused in various ways. 

Fungus Tumor, from compression of the collar. The result of galls and 
subsequent want of care, and inattention. 

Fistula of the Withers, caused generally by pressure of the saddle. 

Saddle Gall, caused by a bad fitting saddle; sometimes ending in sitfasts. 

Tumor of the Elbow, caused generally by interference of the shoe in lying 
down; sometimes by a blow. Called also, Capped Elbow. 

Induration of the Knee, caused by blows in falling. 

Clap of the Back Sinews, caused by severe exertion in running and leaping, 
destroying the integrity of the sinews of the legs. 

Mallenders, scurfy manifestations at flexions of the knee, sometimes becom- 
ing cracked and itchy. 

Splint, caused by blows, kicks, etc., on the shins. They are to be dreaded as 
interfering with the action of the sinews. 

Ringbone, caused by starting heavy loads, or excessive pulling in going up 
hill. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 5 

Tread Upon the Coronet, the contusion of the shoe of one foot by treading 
on the other, causing laceration of the coronet and of the horn of the hoof. 

Quittor, confined pus, from prick of the sole, corns, or injury to coronet. 

Quarter Sand Crack. Imperfect secretion caused by dryness of the hoof; 
rupture of the laminae. 

Contracted Hoof, or ringed hoof of a foundered horse. The result of Lam- 

inatis. 

Capped Hock. Injuring the point of the hock. 

Sallenders. Scurfy eruption on the seat of the flexion of the hock Similar 
to Mallenders. 

Spavin. Inflammation causing painful bony enlargement, sometimes stiff 
joint. Caused by blows, slipping and hard work, often from weak limbs. 

Curb. Inflammation and lameness of the posterior part of the hock, end- 
ing in bony formation. Caused by wrenching or straining the limb. 

Swelled Sinews, caused by strains or bruises, producing inflammation, and 
ending in enlargement. 

Thick Leg, caused by various injuries to the joint. Any inflammation may 
result in a thickening of the integuments. In all inflammatory difficulties of this 
nature, including spavin, curb, etc., cold water faithfully applied at the outset 
will be indicated, but often the trouble is not known until too late for cold water. 
The warm water fomentations will then be indicated. 

Grease, caused by debility, excessive labor and neglect, filthy surroundings, 
from stoppage of the secretions. Scratches are from the same cause, as working 
in the mud without proper cleaning, etc. 

Toe Sand Crack, caused by the same difficulty as quarter sand crack. 

Quarter Crack. (See sand crack). 

These are occasioned generally by severe labor of animals not strong in the 
feet, by which the walls are ruptured, by breaking the hoof with the calk of an- 
other foot. False quarter is occasioned by the absence of the outside and harder 
portion of the hoof. 

Ventral Hernia. Rupture by which the bowel lies next the skin. When 
hernia is accompanied with strangulation it becomes dangerous. 

Rat Tail, loss of the hair of the tail. 



CHAPTER II 



Diseases of the Skin and Sub-Cutaneous Tissues, 



Of the skin diseases there are two classes: those resulting from neglect and 
general bad treatment, and those due to disorders of the internal organs with 
which the skin is in sympathy, or which inflame it by unnatural excretions or 
irritants in the blood. 

SCRATCHES. 

Causes. These are various; as, clipping the heels, which is sometimes done, 
and thus destroying nature's covering, so as to allow the parts to become chilled; 
washing off: the legs with soap and water without subsequently thoroughly drying 
them, and then suffering them to be exposed to cold air; standing in snow or 
snow-slush; standing in or upon hot and steaming manure of any kind, while in 
stable; or being long in mud and filth while in service and not subsequently care- 
fully cleaned. Anything that will produce inflammation of the skin of the heel, 
or in any way weaken it, may produce scratches. 

As is the case with other local disorders, this is most easily and rapidly de- 
veloped when the horse is not in a condition of good general health; but foul 
stables, while furnishing the irritating filth immediately to the seat of this dis- 
ease vitiates the air also, and thus tend to bring about a two-fold trouble. 

It is believed to be sometimes due to the existence on the skin of parasitic 
plants and insects. 

The sure prevention is to keep the horse, if possible, in good general con- 
dition; and to confine him, when he must be confined at all, only in a dry, clean, 
and well-ventilated stall. When he is forced to be worked during the day in 
mud or slush, he should be neither stabled nor turned out to pasture until both 
his feet and his legs are well washed and thoroughly dried. 

How to Know It. Scratches are said to be unknown to European horsemen; 
but it is so well known in the United States as to render a description well nigh 



THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 7 

unnecessary. It appears on the back part of the foot, generally of the hind foot, 
and extends from the heel to the fetlock. It has been known entirely to encircle 
the foot, and to extend upward to the hock and to the knee. The parts are some- 
times hot, swollen and sensative before any crack or ulceration takes place; then 
they become dry and scaly, and crack open by ordinary motion. A horse thus 
affected is apt to manifest a disposition to walk stiffly with his hind legs (when 
the disease is seated in the hind heels), wider apart than ordinary, and to throw 
his foot rather violently forward when an effort is made to examine it. 

It is often the case that at first there are little patches of a thick, dry^ 
scabby covering of the skin; and these spread and inflame until they form 
a solid mass of scab and matted hair. These scabs may be distinguished from 
those which sometimes appear in other skin diseases by this, that they have an 
unusual itchiness, which leads the horse to rub them as much as possible; and he 
often does this until they bleed and become raw. This disposition of the suffer- 
ing creature to scratch himself is said to have originated the name by which 
the disease is known. 

What to Do. In cases where the patient is in good condition, and the 
disease is in its incipient stage, a thorough cleaning of the parts with castile 
soap and warm water, and applying an emollient or softening poultice for a day 
or two, with rest, will be sufficient. If there seems to be feverishness of the 
system, a dose or two of Epsom salts to move the bowels, given in doses of from 
one to three ounces at a time, will be beneficial. 

The following, if for ordinary cases, is a most efficacious and easily used 
remedy : 

y 2 Oz. powdered gum camphor, 

1 Oz. gum myrrh, 

1 Fluid Oz. sulphuric acid, 

1 Fluid Oz. spirits of turpentine, 

1 Pint of lard. 

Mix thoroughly, and rub the ointment well upon the heels once a day. The 
legs and feet should be washed with soap suds before every application. 

When the disease is chronic, and proud flesh has appeared, make a poultice 
of ground flax seed and lime-water; sprinkle burnt alum over the poultice, and 
apply. Use two or three poultices a day until the proud flesh has evidently dis- 
appeared, then use the ointment as above directed. 

GREASE, OR CRACKED HEELS. 

Causes. This disease is but a modification of scratches and of thrush par- 
taking more of the nature of thrush, however, than of scratches, as it is confined 



8 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

almost exclusively to the heel, the seat of thrush, which is seldom attacked by 
the scratches. 

It is occasionally the result of constitutional weakness or derangement. 
When the system abounds in morbid matter, its tendency is towards the heels, 
and debility is felt in the distended vessels remote from the vital organs, ending 
in inflammation of the skin of the heels, distension of the sebacceous glands, a 
stinking deposit on the surface, and a purulent discharge through cracks. 

Cutting away of the hair of the fetlock, and thus exposing to sudden and 
protracted cold parts which it is designed to protect, often causes this affection, 
even in animals of otherwise good condition. 

Frequently, however, it may be regarded as most probably a secondary 
disease, originating in some other, which has resulted from careless or inhuman 
treatment, or from constitutional weakness. 

It is not contagious; but filth and want of attention will produce it in nearly 
all horses similarly subjected to their influences. 

How to Know It. It is manifested in nearly the very same symptoms as 
thrush, as given in the following section; but there is one striking peculiarity 
which distinguishes it from thrush, foot-evil, and other disorders of that kind — 
the heel cracks open. In a healthy state, the heel of the horse is moistened, and 
so kept from becoming dry and hard, by a constant secretion and discharge 
of an oily fluid from the cellular tissues under the skin. When this is obstructed 
the skin becomes dry and feverish, and looks scurfy and hot. It soon thereafter 
cracks, and the pent-up oily secretion, now turned to a foul, yellowish water, 
flows out. As the flow of matter increases, it becomes more and more thick, 
sticky, and stinking; and if not attended to, the heel and sides of the foot be- 
come a mass of ulcerated excrescenses. 

It sometimes manifests itself by the oozing out of a thin matter through the 
pores of the skin from some deep-seated disease of either the coffin-bone or the 
navicular joint — most frequently the latter. The more effective treatment of 
this case would of course be that directed to the healing of the primary disorder. 

What to Do. The treatment necessary is similar to that for scratches. In 
the first place, see to it that the causes which have induced it shall no longer 
operate. If the disease is secondary, it must be somewhat difficult to manage; 
and the animal should be allowed to rest, taking only such exercise as nature 
prompts, in an open pasture, except in bad weather. When it is necessary to 
confine him, give him a good stable, dry litter, and pure air. Remember that 
rest is one of the first conditions of success, while constant driving or any other 
labor will most probably defeat the ends of the physician. 

If the disease is discovered in its early stage, and the general health of the 



THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 9 

animal has not suffered, cleanse the parts well with tepid water and eastile soap, 
and make occasional applications of camphorated corrosive sublimate, say once 
a day, till a cure is effected. A few applications will generally be found suffi- 
cient. 

If the horse is thin in flesh, and in a low state of health from the effect of 
this disease, mix sulphur and rosin, in the proportion of two parts of the former 
to one of the latter, and give him a quarter of a pound of this every third day 
until he has taken three or four doses. Meanwhile, thoroughly saturate the parts 
at least every other day with the liniment till the disease is thoroughly con- 
quered. 

If the liniment forms a scab upon the heel, so hard and dry that the reme- 
dial effects seem to cease, omit the liniment for several days and keep the heel 
well greased. The scab will come off, and then the application of the liniment 
may be resumed. This course must be persevered in till a cure is effected. 

The liniment should be applied at night, and the horse should not be turned 
into pasture when the grass is wet with dew or rain — at any rate, not till six 
hours after the application has been made. 

In summer pasturage will in general afford sufficient food, but in winter it 
should be more nourishing, yet green and succulent as far as possible. Roots 
and good bran mashes ought to be given in reasonable quantity. Grain as a 
regular diet in this case, is objectionable, on account of its tendency to produce 
inflammation. 

After three doses of the sulphur and rosin have been given, as directed, the 
following mixture given every night until all traces of the active disease have 
disappeared, will be found an excellent tonic or strengthening medicine, and 
having the effect, too, of giving healthy tone to the skin: 

V 2 Oz. liquor of arsenicalis, 

1 Oz. tincture of muriate of iron, 

y 2 Pint of water. 

This constitutes a dose. Mix and give as a drench. 

When it is difficult to procure the above mentioned liniment the following 
may be prepared and substituted therefor: 

8 Oz. tar, 

1 Oz. beeswax, 

1 Oz. rosin, 

1 Oz. alum, 

1 Oz. tallow, 

1 Oz. sulphate of iron, 

1 Drachm carbolic acid. 



10 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Mix, and boil over a slow fire, stirring as long a dirty scum appears, and 
then add 2 oz. of the scrapings of sweet elder. 

THRUSH. 

Causes. This, like scratches, results for the most part from foul stables — 
the horse forced to stand in mortar of dung and urine — or from working in 
muddy and filthy places, without having his feet and legs well cleansed when he 
is unharnessed for the night. 

It is sometimes caused by injuries to the frog of the foot, as bruising, snag- 
ging, and improper shoeing. 

It may arise also from a gross habit of body, producing inflammation of the 
sensitive frog, when a spongy substance is deposited instead of sound horn; 
and this breaks away and leaves the frog ragged and tender. 

Lastly, it may be secondary, having resulted from other diseases, superin- 
duced by want of cleanliness and care. 

How to Know It. In some cases, the only means of detecting the existence 
of thrush is a peculiar smell, or by very careful examination, as the hoof may 
Show no change, and the frog may not be found lengthened and deepened, the 
opening extending to the sensitive horn within, and this, when thus closely ob- 
served, shows discharge of matter. 

The progress of the disease is often slow, though showing meanwhile no dis- 
position to heal; till after awhile the frog begins to contract, becomes tender, 
grows rough and brittle, and emits a more offensive discharge. The horny part 
disappears and a hardened substance takes its place; this easily scales off: and 
leaves the sensitive frog uncovered. 

In its advanced state, it is easily detected, as it is characterized by a con- 
tinuous discharge of offensive matter from the cleft of the frog. If not reason- 
ably attended to, proud flesh sprouts up and as this spreads, the whole foot be- 
comes involved in canker. 

What to Do. In the first place, if the causes which have produced the 
disease are still in operation, remove these. In any case, when the horse is to 
be stabled use a dry litter, and see that the stall is kept clear of moist excre- 
ment, and that it is well ventilated. 

If the disease is secondary, the treatment must of course be directed to 
removing the affection from which it has sprung. 

In its simple stages, it may be easily cured in the following manner: 

Clean well with soap suds and allow to dry. Then wet a piece of cloth or 
string of tow with the liniment, camphorated corrosive sublimate, of the frog 
and the corresponding part of the heel. Remove the tow next morning. Con- 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 11 

tinue this treatment (putting in the saturated tow at evening) for four days, 
then omit a day, and so on until a cure is effected. 

Or, sprinkle a small quantity of blue vitriol in the cleft of the frog and then 
fill up the cavities with cotton, which so press in as to keep out all dirt. Repeat 
until the foot is cured. 

When the disease has become chronic it is hard to effect a cure and the fol- 
lowing course ought to be adopted: Clean away all the ragged portions of horn 
so as to reach the sensitive parts. Then smear some tow with this ointment: 

1 Dr. ointment of nitrate of mercury, 
1 Oz. zinc ointment, 
4 Drops creosote. 

Mix well and having smeared the tow with the preparation as directed, press 
it into the cleft of the foot and retain it there by a bar shoe, slightly tacked on. 
Apply this every day observing its effects. If found not to do well, try a wash 
made of six grains of sulphate of zinc dissolved in one onuce of water. As the 
frog grows, it should be kept supple with tar ointment. The bar shoe should be 
kept on until the frog is fully developed. Some degree of pressure must be em- 
ployed by means of tow and this pressure should be increased as the horn in- 
creases in substance. When proud flesh is obstinate it may be burnt away at 
once by forcing a stick of nitrate of silver (lunar caustic) into it. 

In chronic cases, the horse should have, once a day in his food, an altera- 
tive dose (a mild improver of health) say a tablespoonful of sulphur and pow- 
dered sassafras, of each an equal quantity. 

The following mixture is sometimes found valuable where there is a ten- 
dency to proud flesh. The ingredients are to be well stirred together and 
sprinkled into the cleft of the frog where it must be confined in the same manner 
as directed for powdered blue vitriol alone: 

1 Oz. powdered blue vitriol, 

1 Oz. copperas, 

2 Oz. burnt alum, 
x /z Oz. white vitriol. 

SWELLED ANKLES. 

Causes. This affection invariably arises from a diseased condition of the 
feet. Its origin may sometimes be traced to diseases of the navicular and lower 
pastern joints, but it is known to proceed for the most part from hoof rot. It 
seems occasionally, however, to result from a plethoric condition of the general 
system, a superabundance of blood, hard work, severe strains, etc., etc. 

How to Know It. Confined almost wholly to the ankle joints, it is not difrl- 



12 THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

cult of detection — the only point of importance being to determine whether the 
swelling is merely spasmodic and temporary, or whether it is a result of a pri- 
mary disorder which requires attention. It is generally perceptible of a morn- 
ing and disappears during the day. 

What to Do. If the swelling proceeds from plethora, or too great fullness 
of the general system, give an occasional dose of Epsom salts, to reduce the 
tendency to inflammation, and feed upon green and succulent food. 

If it proceeds from soreness of the bottom of the foot, apply camphorated 
corrosive sublimate freely every day for four days, then omit two days and again 
apply. 

If there is any appearance of thrush or cracked heels, treat as directed for 
the removal of these. 

SWELLED LEGS. 

Causes. Swelled legs may be the result either of an undue deposit of serum 
or watery particles of the blood, or of inflammation of the cellular tissue lying 
between the skin and bones in those parts of the leg most destitute of muscles. 

How to Know It. The leg becomes greatly swollen and looks as though it 
was stretched to its utmost tension. Occasionally the swelling appears almost 
suddenly and then as suddenly subsides, in which case the cause may be con- 
sidered as having but just begun to operate; and if in its attack, and violent, the 
skin is hot, dry, and extremely tender, and the pulse is quick and hard, while 
a peculiar lameness speedily sets in. The swelling may extend to the sheath 
and along the belly as far as the muscles of the breast. 

What to do. If the disease seems to be merely undue deposit of serum 
owing to confinement, nothing more may be necessary than to give the animal a 
dose or two of nitre, daily, to act upon the kidneys, and to exercise him regular- 
ly to induce absorption. In the administering of a diuretic, however, even so 
simple as niter, care should be taken that it is not left to ignorant and irrespon- 
sible grooms, since it may be given in excess and result in disordering the kid- 
neys and thus ultimately inducing the very disease which it is intended to 
remedy. 

When there is a tendency to swelled legs which manifests itself in the 
morning, but disappears during the exercise of the day, an excellent preventive 
is to stand the horse in cold water to his knees half an hour just before night, 
and then rub dry before stabling, but care must be taken to dry the legs thor- 
oughly, or the plan is plainly objectionable. If it should be found not to yield 
to this, administer the niter in moderation, as previously directed, and exercise 
the horse regularly, causing him to sweat, both of which have a tendency to 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 13 

diminish the accumulated fluid, and to assist the veins and absorbent in their 
functions. 

In case the horse is in a debilitated condition and the swelling is manifestly 
owing to the sluggishness of the circulation, he should be well fed on nutritious 
diet and the leg or legs should be firmly, but not tightly, bandaged. Then pre- 
pare the following — a tonic and somewhat stimulating medicine: 

V 2 Oz. pulverized assafoetlda, 

1 Oz. cream of tartar, 

2 Oz. powdered gentain, 
2 Oz. African ginger, 

4 Oz. finely pulverized poplar bark. 

Rub these ingredients together in a mortar until thoroughly mixed. Divide 
this into six doses and give one, in the food, every night till exhausted. The 
bandage should be removed from time to time, and the limb subjected to a brisk 
hand-rubbing, or rubbing with a medium coarse cloth. 

If the disease has become chronic, and the animal is much debilitated, the 
following more stimulating medicine should be used: 

1 Oz. powdered golden seal, 
1 Oz. gentain, 

1 Oz. balmony, (or snakehead), 
% lb. flax seed. 

Mix well, and divide into six doses, of which give one night and morning in 
the food. Bandage and rub alternately, as previously directed. If the disease 
does not speedily show signs of yielding to this treatment, apply every night, 
omitting the bandage, the following liniment: 

2 Oz. essence of cedar, 

1 Oz. tincture of capsicrum, 
1 Pint new rum. 

SURFEIT. 

Cause. This disease, sometimes known as purigo, has for its predisposing 
cause a thick and impure state of the blood, with deranged condition of the di- 
gestive organs. When the animal is in such state, any sudden exposure to chill, 
especially when he has been heated, will produce surfeit-pimples, and unless 
the general condition be attended to a confirmed case of skin disease may be 
the result. 

How to Know It. No symptoms precede an attack of surfeit by which its 
approach may be known. The pimples or lumps, in quick surfeit, suddenly ap- 



14 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

pear, and almost as quickly subside. When a ease of confirmed surfeit has set 
in, the skin is hard, dry, and feverish. 

What to Do. If the general condition of the horse is good and the affec- 
tion has evidently arisen from sudden exposure or some other imprudence on 
the part of the person having him in charge, little treatment will be necessary. 
Prevent costiveness and keep moist provender. Give arsenical drink once a day, 
a pint at a time, to act on the skin, until cure is effected, being careful, mean- 
while, if the weather is cool, to keep the horse comfortably warm — blanketing 
him if necessary; and a half hour's walking exercise should be given him daily. 
The arsenical drink consists of these ingredients in the proportion named: 

1 Fluid Oz. arsenicalis, or Fowler's solution, 
iy 2 Fluid Oz. tincture of muriate of iron, 

1 Quart water. 

Keep him from becoming costive by cooling and laxative food, as pre- 
viously directed; see that he is comfortably stabled, if the weather is at all in- 
clement, and give on several successive nights, the following alterative: 

2 Drachms legitated (finely ground) antimony, 

3 Drachms niter, 

4 Drachms sulphur. 

MANGE. 

Causes. This is sometimes brought about by the same causes as surfeit; 
or rather, it is indeed but an advanced chronic stage of that disease; though in 
some cases of the same kind, it is of a much more serious character, and highly 
contagious. 

How to Know It. The skin is at first scabby, the hair comes off, and the 
outer skin becomes broken into little scale-like pieces. These fall off, or are 
rubbed off, and leave the parts raw and sore. The general appearance of the 
skin where the raw spots are not too numerous is a dirty brown, and it is loose, 
flabby and puckered. The horse is impelled by itching, to rub himself frequent- 
ly and violently, and he thus leaves his scurf, dandruff, and in the more ad- 
vanced stage, his parasites, at every place. 

Usually, where the disease is engendered in the animal itself, it appears 
first on the side of the neck, just at the edge of the mane and on the inside of 
the quarters near the root of the tail. 

When it is the result of contagion, and the horse may at first be in health, 
but the constant irritation makes him feverish, the hair falls off as in the first 
case described, leaving the skin in those places almost bare, and little red pim- 
ples appear here and there. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 15 

What to Do. The most effectual preventive, it will be readily inferred from 
the preceding statement of cause, is cleanliness. In no case should a healthy 
animal be allowed to occupy a stable where a mangy one has been kept until 
it shall have previously been washed with water strongly impregnated with 
sulphur and chloride of lime — say half a pound of powdered sulphur and one 
pint of chloride of lime to each gallon of water. If the stable is thoroughly 
cleansed of loose litter and dirt, and all parts that may have been rubbed 
against by a mangy horse perfectly saturated with this solution two or three 
times, on as many consecutive days, there can be no danger in using it. Cloth- 
ing, curry-comb, brush, etc., that may have come in contact with such animal, 
should be burned up. 

If starvation, weakness, and general ill condition have caused the mange, 
a patent means for its removal will be found in giving him clean quarters and 
good nourishing food; which, however, should not be at first of a heating 
nature. Generous pasturage, unless the weather is damp, will be sufficient; 
otherwise, a full supply of oats and chop food should be given. It cannot be 
too much insisted upon that especially while treating a horse for disease his 
stable should be dry, well ventilated and properly supplied with litter. 

Have him as thoroughly cleansed of scab and dirt as possible, with a wisp 
of hay, and by softly and lightly using a curry-comb. Then prepare a lini- 
ment of the following ingredients and in the proportions here given for greater 
or less quantities: 

1 Quart animal glycerine, 

1 Gill creosote, 

y 2 Pint turpentine, 

1 Gill oil of juniper. 

Mix all together and shake well; and with this saturate the whole skin, as 
nearly as possible, rubbing in well with a soft cloth. Care must be taken to rub 
it in thoroughly. A little well rubbed in is better than much merely smeared on. 

Leave him in this condition two days; then wash him well with warm water 
and soft soap; stand him in the sunshine if the weather admits, and rub with 
a wisp of hay or with suitable cloths until he is dry; after which, anoint him 
pretty well all over with the mixture described, and rub it in. This course 
should be pursued until a cure is effected. Two to four applications will gener- 
ally be found sufficient, even in obstinate cases, if care is taken as to food and 
drink. The following alterative will be found beneficial: 

1 Oz. tartarized antimony, 

2 Drs. muriate of quicksilver, 

3 Oz. powdered ginger, 

3 Oz. powdered anise seeds. 



16 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Mix with mucilage so as to form a consistent mass; divide into six balls, 
and give one every morning till the eruption disappears. 

Care must be taken that the patient is not exposed to rain or heavy dews 
while under this course of treatment. 

RINGWORM. 

Causes. There are two kinds of ringworm; one simple, of spontaneous ori- 
gen, and non-contagious. The other contagious. The first is usually the result 
of indigestion or confinement in close and foul apartments, as in filthy and ill- 
aired stables, railroad cars or ship holds. The latter, or contagious kind, is 
found on horses of good condition, as well as on diseased and neglected ones, 
and is produced by vegetable parasites in the hairs and hair-glands. 

How to Know It. It is especially common in winter and spring, and ap- 
pears on the face, neck, shoulders, sides, and sometimes elsewhere. 

When non-contagious, it may usually be known by its appearing as an 
eruption of small blisters, about the size of a wheat grain, on inflamed patches 
of skin. These assume a circular form; and if not seasonably attended to, the 
circle enlarges and covers fresh portions of skin. 

The contagious type appears in round, bald spots, covered with white scales, 
and surrounded by a ring of bristly, broken, or split hairs, with scabs around 
the roots, and some eruption on the skin. These broken hairs soon drop out, 
and a wider ring is formed. The most marked characteristic of the contagious 
or parasitical ringworm is the splitting of the hairs in the ring, and the perfect 
baldness of the central part. 

Occasionally the patches, in either form of the disease, assume an irregular 
rather than a really circular form. 

What to Do. If a simple, non-contagious case, shave the hairs as closely 
as possible from the affected part, and paint with tincture of iodine; or, if 
scratches or little ulcers have appeared on the patch, rub it with the following 
stimulating and healing ointment: 

10 Grains nitrate of silver, 
1 Oz. lard. 

If it is a case of the contagious or scaly variety, wash the patches thoroughly 
with soft water and soft soap, and then rub every day with the following oint- 
ment: 

y 2 Drachm iodine, 

1 Drachm iodide of potash, 

1 Oz. cosmoline. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 17 

If through neglect and long standing it has ulcerated, use this ointment 
twice daily: 

6 Oz. pyroligenous acid, 

5 Oz. linseed oil, 

2 Oz. spirits of camphor. 

HIDE-BOUND. 

Causes. Strictly speaking, this is not of itself a disease, though the skin 
is in a peculiarly abnormal condition, but the result of a diseased condition of 
the general system or of derangement of some specific vital function. With re- 
spect to the causes from which it arises, it is somewhat similar to mange; but, 
unlike mange, it is neither eruptive nor contagious. 

Poverty and cruel usage— the food being deficient in quantity or quality, 
and the labor onerous— bringing on impaired digestion; the blood becomes thick, 
dark, and feverish, because the secretive processes are sluggishly performed; 
the skin sympathises with these internal disorders, and the lubricating fluid 
through the pores is suspended; and then, instead of remaining soft and pliant, 
it becomes dry and adheres to the body. 

How to Know It. The skin is dry and hard, and the hair is rough and 
rusty. Both are evidently destitute of that oil by which in health they are kept 
in soft, pliant, and glossy condition. Adhering almost immovably to the ribs, 
legs, neck— almost every part of the body— the skin cannot be caught up in 
folds with the hand. At times it appears scurfy, and the exhalants (having the 
quality of giving out or evaporating) pour forth unusual quantities of matter, 
the more solid portions of which form scales and give the horse a filthy appear- 



ance. 



The excrement or dung is dry, hard, and black. 

What to Do. Especial pains must be taken to discover, if possible, what 
specific disease has given rise to this state of the skin. If the cause is obscure, 
direct the treatment to restoring a healthy condition of the digestive organs! 
Begin by bettering his treatment in every way. Instead of hard labor, he should 
have only gentle exercise, and instead of being left exposed to the rain, snow, 
and merciless winds, in barren pasture land or filthy barnyard, he should be well 
sheltered, and, in winter, blanketed— using for this purpose two blankets joined 
along his back by tapes so that a space of an inch or two may be left for the 
escape of insensible perspiration. Instead of allowing the skin to grow clogged, 
torpid and dead for want of cleanliness and friction, he should have regular 
daily currying and brisk rubbing with a good brush or coarse cloth, which will 
materially aid in restoring healthy action of the skin. 

If it is pasture season, give him a run at good grass during the day; but 



18 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

stable at night in a clean stable, furnished with dry litter, and give him a gener- 
ous feed of bran and oats, or moistened bran and chopped hay. Mix with 
the food night and morning, the following alterative: 

3 Oz. powdered sassafras bark, 

3 Oz. sulphur, 

3 Oz. salt, 

2 Oz. bloodroot, 

2 Oz. balmony, 

1 lb. oatmeal. 

Mix, and divide into twelve doses. 

SADDLE GALLS OR SIT-FASTS. 

Causes. These are swellings, sores, and tumors, caused by ill-fitting saddles 
or harness. Different names are applied to them according to their appearance 
and character. When a mere heated swelling on the horse's back or shoulders 
is unattended to, while he is kept in constant use, it sometimes assumes the ap- 
pearance of a dead patch of skin, and is then called a warble; when these 
ulcerate and discharge pus, and a leather-like piece of skin is firmly fixed upon 
the top of it, the name sit-fast is applied; and when, by the use of saddle or 
harness before a warble or sit-fast is thoroughly healed, a hard, callous lump is 
formed, it is called a navel gall — said to be so called because it is generally on 
that part of the back opposite the navel. 

How to Know It. These swellings, sores, and tumors require no further des- 
cription than has already been given. 

What to Do. The first and most essential thing is, that the animal shall 
be allowed to rest, or at any rate be subjected to such labor only as will not 
require the same chafing, abrading saddle or harness which has produced the 
trouble. 

Then, if it is merely a gall or scald — a heated, tender swelling, without 
either suppuration or hardness — bathe with cold salt and water two or three 
times daily. When the heat and tenderness are sensibly reduced, anoint occasion- 
ally, until the lump has entirely disappeared, with a mixture of tar and olive 
oil, equal parts. 

If it has assumed the character of a sit-fast, do not use the knife, nor try 
to tear the dry skin away, but bathe with warm soft water, and then apply a 
poultice. This must be repeated, if necessary, until the callous skin is easily 
removed, and then anoint frequently, until the sore is healed, with the following: 

1 Dr. iodide of potash, 
6 Drs. simple ointment, 

2 Drs. glycerine. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 19 

When it has reached the stage of navel gall — hard, grisly, almost horny — 
apply daily the camphorated corrosive sublimate. Shake the bottle well before 
pouring it out; use a mop with which to put it on; then, when it is thoroughly 
saturated with this liniment, use a hot iron with which to dry it in. 

White lead and linseed-oil mixed as for paint, is almost invaluable in abras- 
ions, or galls from the saddle or collar, or from any other cause; it will speedily 
aid the part in healing. 

Applied with a brush to the leg of a horse, the outer coating of hair and 
skin of which was torn off, caused it to heal and leave no scar. It is good for 
scratches and all sores upon horses, or other animals. It forms an air-tight 
coating, and soothes pain. Every farmer should keep a pot and brush ready for 
use. White lead is the carbonate of the metal, and when pure is very white. 
That having a grayish tint is impure, being generally adulterated. For use as a 
paint, a lead color is produced by adding lamp black, and a drab or stone color, 
by adding burnt umber. 

In applying it for scratches, first wash them clean with soap and water, 
then apply. 

FUNGOUS COLLAR TUMOR. 

Causes. This in its nature is essentially the same as that described in the 
preceding section as saddle gall, or sit-fast — differing, however, in location and 
specific cause. It is an inflammation and swelling beneath the large flat muscles 
that covers the front of the shoulder, and is caused by the chafing of the collar. 

How to Know It. It is scarcely necessary to undertake farther description 
of a well-known, visible affection. It is usually found near the point of the 
shoulder; and the character of the tumor as to simplicity or severity can be 
readily determined by examination. If of considerable standing, it will be found 
so hard as to render it almost impossible to detect any fluctuation that would 
indicate the presence of matter. Where there is much swelling, however, there 
is almost invariably matter, and no cure can be effected until this is removed. 
In cases less marked there will be a small, hard or indurated lump without 
matter. 

Under similar conditions as those mentioned in the preceding section, it may 
form a leathery patch in the center and become a real sit-fast. 

What to Do. The tumor must, if possible, be so treated as to leave no sear 
or lump, as this would be easily irritated by the collar upon subsequent use, and 
prove a source of constant trouble. The first thing in order will be to take the 
horse from work, if at all practicable. If not, use a breast-strap, so as to pre- 
vent all further chafing. If the swelling is recent, apply cold water often, or 
cover the part with a wet rag hung over the shoulders in such a way as to re- 
main in contact with the swelling. This must be kept constantly wet. 



20 THE FARMERS > VETERINARY GUIDE. 

But if the tumor is large, and of long standing — already hardened and con- 
taining matter deeply hidden, open with a knife — making a smooth, vertical cut, 
and of sufficient depth to thoroughly evacuate the pus. Syringe the opening well 
every day with the following solution: 

30 Grains chloride of zinc, 
1 Quart water. 

If the wound seems inclined to heal and leave a lard lump in doing so, dis- 
continue the injection, and rub frequently with the following liniment to pro- 
mote the absorption of the callous or gristly formation: 

1 Oz. iodine, 
12 Oz. soap liniment. 

WARTS. 

Causes. It is difficult to point out anything that may be implicitly received 
as the cause of these excrescenses. Generally accompanying a plethoric con- 
dition, they may be considered as owing their origin primarily to high feeding 
and insufficient exercise. This, however, must not be taken as conclusive, since 
they not infrequently appear upon active animals, of meagre habit. 

How to Know It. There are two kinds of these formations, one of which 
is fibrous, white, and gristly or cartilaginous, but somewhat spongy lump, con- 
tained in a sac or cell which has taken its rise from the outer or scarf-skin; and 
the other is a somewhat cartilaginous substance, not inclosed, but adhering firm- 
ly to the skin — a hard excresence — the "seed wart" — which is too well known 
to require particular description. 

What to Do. If there is doubt as to the character of the wart, the matter 
may be speedily determined by running a sharp knife through it; when, if a 
blood or sac wart, the contents will come out, accompanied by more or less 
copious bleeding; wheras, the seed wart will in the case be merely divided by 
the incision, each part retaining its firmness or consistency. 

When the blood wart is thus opened, nothing more will be necessary than 
to touch the part with a solution of chloride of zinc, one grain to an ounce of 
water, or lunar caustic. When these warts are attached to the skin by narrow 
bases, or small stems, they may be clipped off with knife or scissors, and the 
part slightly burned with caustic as previously directed. 

If the growth is of the fixed kind, or seed wart, remove by means of scissors 
or knife when standing singly; but if the stem or base is large, or if the warts 
grow in bunches, too numerous and too close together to be cut away, pick off 
or otherwise chafe the rough outer surface so as to make it bleed; then with a 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 21 

stiff brush rub in yellow orpiment wetted with a little water, and in a few days 
they will come away, or may be rubbed off, and leave a healthy sore, which soon 
heals. If the entire wart does not come off by reason of one application, repeat. 

VERMIN. 

Causes. Vermin are both a cause and a consequent of skin disease; and 
being also bred in the hairy covering, perhaps in the very skin itself, they are 
properly treated in this connection. 

How to Know It. The horse infested with vermin will usually manifest his 
uneasiness by biting and rubbing himself; but their presence may be unmistak- 
ably detected by a more or less careful examination of his coat. 

What to Do. If the horse is suffering from some skin disease requiring 
treatment, the means adopted for this will almost invariably suffice of them- 
selves to remove the vermin; but where no such disease exists, and it is a simple 
case of lousiness, anoint him with the following salve: 

1 Dr. carbolic acid crystals, 
1 Quart fresh lard. 

Rub it upon every part of the body thoroughly; wash with warm water 
soap suds next day; repeat if necessary — at last washing and drying. 

MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS. 

Causes. By these terms are denoted oozy, scurfy patches upon the knee 
and hock — those which appear back of the knee being called (for what reason 
nobody seems to know) mallenders; and those which appear in front of the 
hock, sallenders. They spirng from idleness and neglect — an impure state of 
the blood having been brought on by heating and unsuitable diet, and disorders 
of the bowels, liver or kidneys. 

Though of no serious importance as diseases, they are unsightly, and, if 
neglected, they result in troublesome sores. 

How to Know It. They first begin as a moist tetter, apt to escape obser- 
vation until they appear in a roughened state of hair about the parts mentioned, 
under which the skin is scurfy, feverish and somewhat tender. Itching of such 
severity sometimes attends them as to render the horse restive and hard to keep 
under restraint. 

What to Do. In the first place attend to the cleanliness of the horse and 
put him upon a regular course of moderate exercise. Give him twice daily, 
night and morning, a pint of the excellent alterative and tonic drink: 



22 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

1 Fluid Oz. liquor arsenicalis, 
iy 2 Oz. tincture muriate of iron, 
1 Quart water. 

Rub the parts affected two or three times a day with an ointment made as 
follows : 

1 Oz. animal glycerine, 

2 Drs. mercurial ointment, 
2 Drs. powdered ointment, 
1 Oz. spermacetti. 

If the scurfy places have developed into suppurating sores, use, instead of 
the ointment, the following lotion, saturating them well twice a day: 

y 2 Pint animal glycerine, 
% Oz. chloride of zinc, 
6 Quarts water. 

Be careful that his food is such as to keep him from constipation and fever. 

POLL-EVIL. 

Causes. Poll-evil is the name given to a deep abcess having its seat of 
primary inflammation between the ligament of the neck and the first bone which 
lies beneath without being attached to it; and it is serious in its nature by 
reason of this depth and of the difficulty with which the matter formed finds its 
way to the surface through the strong fibrous membrane that envelopes it. If 
not attended to in its early stages, the surface of the first bone from the head, 
or that of the joint between the first two bones, becomes inflamed, and the joint 
or joints involved. 

The disease may be said to owe its origin almost wholly to violence of some 
kind. A blow upon the poll by a brutal driver may very readily produce it; 
and much slighter causes, often repeated, result in this affection; as, the forc- 
ing on of a tight collar day after day; hanging back and so bruising the poll 
with bridle or halter; and excessive rubbing of that part because of itch pro- 
duced by dirt accumulated about the ears and upper point of the neck and not 
carried away by brush or currycomb. Striking the head against low ceilings 
and the beams of low doorways is doubtless responsible for very many cases of 
this dangerous and disagreeable disorder. 

How to Know It. A certain restlessness, a throwing back of the head and 
then returning; a drooping tendency, turning the head from one side to the 
other; a dull appearance about the eyes; a sluggishness of movement — all these 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 23 

are sometimes observed before any symptoms of the disease may be discovered 
about the head. 

Sometimes no notice is taken of its existence until considerable swelling 
and even an unwholesome discharge have set in; but more frequently an oval 
tumor is discovered — hot, tender, situated directly in the region of the nape of 
the neck, but generally inclining to one side. In the milder form this tumor is 
evidently superficial; and the horse moves his head with comparative ease and 
freedom; whereas, in the more advanced stage he carries it stiffly, and every 
movement of it or the neck causes great pain. 

Sometimes the disorder is so deaply-seated that the tumor is not developed 
sufficiently to make much outward show. It is much likelier to discover itself 
plainly as a well-developed swelling when the hurt is superficial. In any case, 
it must be examined with the fingers to determine this point. Place the fingers 
gently upon it, and give the animal time to recover from the little scare into 
which this touching of a sore at first gives him; then gradually press upon the 
part. If the hurt is near the surface, he will flinch quickly; if deeply seated, 
he will be correspondingly slow in showing evidence of pain. If suppuration 
has already set in, it can readily be known when near the surface by a sort of 
fluctuating feeling; but this fluctuation can scarcely be felt at all if the matter 
is deep seated. 

What to Do. If discovered when there is nothing more than a swelling, no 
matter having yet been found, remove all tendency to general feverishness by 
giving purgative medicine according to evident fillness of condition; allow the 
horse to rest; and put him on moderately light diet. Then make the following 
cooling lotion, and keep the swelling constantly moistened with it by having a 
small rag pad laid over it and saturated with the mixture from time to time: 

2 Oz. tincture of arnica, 
1 Dr. iodide of potassium, 
1 Quart vinegar, 
1 Quart camomile infusion. 

If this does not reduce the inflammation and remove the swelling within a 
few days we earnestly recommend the aid of an experienced veterinary surgeon, 
meantime use, a quantity of mandrake root, mash and boil it; strain and boil 
down until rather thick, then form an ointment by simmering it with sufficient 
lard for that purpose. Anoint the swelling once a day for several days. 

FISTULA. 

Causes. This is sometimes known as fistulous withers, to distinguish it 
from fistula of the parotid duct. It is similar to poll-evil and is generally 



24 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

caused in like manner, by bruises. In the case of fistula, these bruises may be 
caused by an ill-fitting collar; by a lady's saddle, particularly if awkwardly 
ridden; by the pressing forward of a man's saddle, especially in case of high 
withers; by striking the withers against the top of a low door-way; by rolling 
and striking the withers against some hard substance; by the biting of other 
horses; and by a blow of the blacksmith's hammer. The points of the spinal 
processes, (little projections" of the spine or back bone), are hurt, inflammation 
sets in, and the fistulous tumor is produced. Its site is the spine above the 
shoulders; and it is more troublesome than poll-evil, because it is more exposed 
to repeated injuries. 

How to Know It. The first indication will be a swelling on one or both 
sides of the withers, generally rather broad and flat. Upon examination with 
the fingers this will be found hot, tender, and apparently deep seated. If ob- 
served when first formed, it will be of uniform hardness throughout. If unat- 
tended to while in this state, the tumor soon becomes an abcess; and owing to 
the difficulty in the way of the matter's escaping, (its natural outlet being at 
the top of the shoulders), the pus sinks downward; and the abscess sometimes 
becomes enormous before there is any well-defined head, and before there is 
any opening. When it breaks, or is opened, a large quantity of extremely 
offensive matter flows out. Ordinarily, the tumor will come to a head in from 
one to two weeks. When the discharge has begun, the tumor does not begin to 
grow healthy and heal, but the walls of the opening thicken, and continue to 
discharge matter which becomes more and more offensive. The matter bur- 
rows between the shoulder blade and spinal points, and everything around seems 
to be rotting away; and it is both difficult and dangerous to trace the opening. 
In process of time several holes will appear along the course of the muscles in 
contact with the original abscess, and from each issues a foul discharge, till the 
ulcerating process seems to extend itself to nearly all the muscles of the 
shoulder. 

The health of the animal may at first be excellent, and there may be no 
lameness; but as the inflammation extends, there is lameness of the shoulder, 
and he suffers— often greatly. He is averse to motion, and will suffer for food 
and drink rather than undergo the pain of trying to reach and partake of it. 
In its worst stages the bones extending into the sinus decay. 

What to Do. Be careful to ascertain, in the first place, whether the tumor 
has newly risen. The matter may form in one, even while it is quite small, and 
it is important to know when the knife may be used to advantage. 

If matter has already formed, it can be detected by the somewhat soft and 
fluctuating feeling of the abscess. 

If discovered while still a new formation, take the horse from work, if 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 25 

possible; if not, take especial pains to protect the injured joint or joints from 
pressure. A bruise at the point of the withers where the collar rests will not 
unfit a horse for the saddle, unless considerable inflammation and extending 
soreness has already set in; nor will a saddle bruise, farther back on the withers 
necessarily unfit him for harness. 

A recent swelling should be immediately treated with fomentations of 
bitter herbs. 

Boil wormwood, or mullen stocks, or life-everlasting in soft water to make 
a strong decoction; and apply it with large woolen cloths, as hot as can be 
borne, to hasten the formation of matter. When the tumor begins to soften 
and show signs of healing, have a suitable, fine-pointed, sharp knife. Ascer- 
tain the lowest point of the abscess. Then stand close to his side, near the 
middle to avoid both hind and fore feet in case of kicking or striking, with the 
back of the knife to the shoulder; point upward and outward, stick at the 
lowest edge and cut open with a free incision. Next syringe the abscess till it 
is as thoroughly cleansed as possible with a solution of carbolic acid and water, 
one part acid to two of water. Then dress with coal oil, or some convenient 
salve. After two days or three days, the wound should be thoroughly cleansed 
by syringing with warm soap suds; then use the carbolic acid and water, and 
repeat the oil or salve dressing; and so on till a cure is effected. 



CHAPTER III, 



Diseases of the Glands and Nasal Membranes. 



GLANDERS. 



Causes. This seems to be primarily a disease of the lymphatic and nasal 
glands, and confined to them; but upon this point authorities disagree, and it 
is contended by some that all the air passages are always affected — that it is 
a kind of phthisic, or incipient pulmonary disorder — and that whether the 
ulcers appear on the membranes of the nose prior or subsequent to the forma- 
tion of tubercles in the lungs does not invalidate the proposition that the 
earliest external manifestations are but the effects of pulmonary derangement. 
The most tenable conclusion, however, is plainly this: that inflammation of the 
membrane of the nose, and confined to that membrane, at last results in ulcer- 
ation; that the matter discharged from these is poisonous, and acts upon the 
glands by means of the absorbents with which it comes in contact, and is also 
inhaled into the lungs with the air as it passes through the nasal cavities, till 
at length both the circulatory and the respiratory systems are generally dis- 
eased. 

It must be observed that its infectious nature is not general, but particular 
— depending upon inoculation with the matter exuded from glanderous ulcers, 
or at least from poison received in some way from the glandered animal and 
communicated directly to a wound or to some delicate membrane of another 
horse, an ass, or a human being. 

How to Know It. As may be inferred from the preceding, it is not always 
easy to detect the actual presence of this disease, though it is often a matter of 
paramount importance that it should be known. Its dangerous character as 
an infectious disorder makes it essential that it should be known in its very 
earliest stages, that the proper precautions may be taken to prevent the infec- 
tion from spreading. 

There are some symptoms that may be observed, even before the appear- 
ance of any discharge whatever; and these may be described, though they may 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 27 

sometimes prove fallacious, and are found to be but extraordinary indications 
of some other disease. 

The first signs are those of heaviness, dullness, followed by fever; the 
eyes are red and unhealthy looking, while the light is seemingly painful to 
them. The hair is one day dry, the next, perhaps, it resumes its natural ap- 
pearance, and so alternating until after awhile it becomes staring and unnatural. 
The flesh wastes away rapidly for a time; then, and particularly if a change of 
food is introduced, showing some improvement, and so alternating till at length 
he begins to show signs of permanently failing health and of a general debility. 

These may be regarded as for the most part premonitory signs, and up to 
this time there may be no appearance of tumors and no discharge from the 
nostrils; but the animal should be subjected to the most rigid scrutiny, to dis- 
cover whether there is anything to confirm the impression made by the symp- 
toms enumerated as to the probable existence of glandered condition. 

What to Do. The first thing to do, and in the first stage, will naturally 
suggest itself to any one who has taken the pains to inform himself of the 
dreadful nature of the disease. Its contagious character renders it dangerous, 
as has been said, not only to all of the horse kind, but to man; and no time 
should be lost in removing a glandered animal from the possibility of com- 
municating the disorder to another. If stabled, there should be no connection 
whatever between his stall and those of other animals, as the discharge from 
the nostril, (in which lies the danger), may be communicated through any 
opening sufficient to allow horses to bite or nibble at each other. If placed to 
pasture, it should be known that no other horse is at all likely either to be 
turned in with him or to approach the inclosure. And this removal or separ- 
ation should take place whenever it is observed that there is that constant 
discharge from one nostril which has been described, even though it may seem 
but watery and natural, and the horse be in the very best apparent condition. 
Remember that a glandered condition may long exist, and minute ulcers, in 
the hidden recesses of the nose, discharge a sort of limpid or clear fluid, with- 
out any of the active and violent symptoms being manifest; but that all this 
time the horse may be able to communicate the disease to others; and that these 
may die of it while he is yet in reasonably fair condition. 

A horse affected with this disease, in any stage, is dangerous to the man 
who handles him; but he is doubly so, perhaps, when he has become a loathsome 
object in limbs and body as well as in head; and under ordinary circumstances 
it is doubtless best to destroy him as quickly as possible. 

It remains now but to suggest some precautionary measures to prevent con- 
tagion, in addition to those which have already been given. If a stable is 
known to have been used by a glandered horse, no other animal should be 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

allowed to occupy it until the trough, the rack, and the walls have been thor- 
oughly scraped and scoured with strong soap and warm water. Then take one 
pint of chloride of lime and dissolve it in two gallons of water, with which 
thoroughly saturate every part that the horse's nose may have touched. Next, 
whitewash the walls inside. Then burn bridles, haltars, buckets out of which 
he has drunk-whatever may have been about his head-and if any blanketing 
has been used, have it carefully cleansed by washing, or burn it up. 

FARCY. 

In treating of glanders and farcy there is a great diversity of opinion as 
to the relations in which they stand to each other-which is the antecedent, 
which the consequent; but the most sensible view of the matter, and the one 
taken by the ablest veterinarians, is this: that the two are but different mani- 
festations of the same disease, and that they might with propriety be so treated 
Regarding them separately it is difficult to say which is the more acute form, 
which the more chronic, as it is now generally conceded that horse afflicted 
with what may seem at first a well-developed case of glanders may be presently 
laboring under confirmed farcy— the last state apparently worse than the first; 
again, a case of farcy may assume the type to which the name glanders is 
applied, and in this case also there seems to be a development of the first into 
a more hopeless disorder. 

DISTEMPER. 

Causes. This is an epidemic disease, occurring in young horses, generally, 
and when it once breaks out all the animals in the stable are likely to be in- 
fected with it, unless they have already had it. Colts and young horses will 
take it from older ones more easily than older ones from the young. 

If it is not actually generated by filth and uneleanliness in the stables, the 
disease is certainly aggravated by causes producing miasma and bad air in the 
stables. Therefore cleanliness is essential not only as a means of preventing 
the disease, but in rendering it of a mild type when it breaks out. 

Horses will contract the disease from others when at a considerable dis- 
tance. It is supposed to be communicated both by actual contact and also 
from germs proceeding from the breath. Hence when once it breaks out, at the 
first symptoms, isolate the sick animal or animals, fumigate the stable thor- 
oughly and daily. 

To do this fill the stable with tobacco smoke, both the stable from whence 
the sick horses have been taken, and the place where they are confined during 
treatment. Let the smoke be so thick as to become quite inconvenient. Make 
all the animals inhale as much^as possible. Wash every part of the stable, and 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 29 

especially the feeding places and hay racks, with a strong decoction of tobacco 
stems, using for the purpose cheap, rank tobacco. Keep powdered tobacco 
leaves in the mangers of all the horses. This being early attended to, its spread 
may be generally arrested. 

How to Know It. The disease has three stages. In the early stage of the 
disease there is a dry, hacking cough, and there will be noticed a discharge from 
the nose, first of a thin, watery fluid succeeded by a thicker, purulent discharge 
of a whitish color. 

The next stage of the disease shows itself in a swelling of the throat. The 
salivary glands, which at first were inflamed, are now closed, and pus is being 
formed. At length an abscess is formed. 

The third stage is the suppurative stage, in which the abscess breaks; some- 
times there are two. From this time on, the animal is in a fair way to mend, 
and every means should be taken to promote the discharge. In bad cases the 
suppuration may continue for weeks, and in extreme cases it may continue for 
months. 

From first to last there is a fever. The pulse is quickened and hard. The 
appetite fails, both from the fever and inability to swallow. As the fever in- 
creases the eyes become dull and glassy; the hair is dry, will not lie close, looks 
dead; and the animal stands with its head drooped, and the whole appearance 
is stupid. 

What to Do. The animal must be warmly clothed and kept in a thoroughly 
well ventilated but comfortable stable. Let the food be light, but nourishing. 
Mashes made of oat-meal and bran; also boiled oats, oat-meal gruel, and hay-ten 
should be given for drink. Give the following: 

1 table-spoonful pulverized gum myrrh, 
1 table-spoonful gun powder, 
1 table-spoonful lard, 

1 table-spoonful soft soap, 

2 table-spoonfuls tar. 

Mix, and put a spoonful of this mixture on a long, narrow paddle down the 
throat twice a day, so that it will lodge about the glands of the throat. 

Let all drink and food have the chill taken off before giving it. If there 
is considerable fever and the tongue is coated, give a little cream of tartar in 
the drink. If the limbs are cold, bandage them and hand rub to promote cir- 
culation. Give once a day in the food the following.: 

2 or three ounces flower of sulphur, 
1 ounce resin. 

To be mixed in the food if it will eat, or in the drink. Give also three 



30 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

ounces of sulphur per day, if the animal will take it. Wash the neck two or 
three times a day with a decoction of tobacco as hot as the animal will bear it. 
If these remedies are taken in time and faithfully applied, they will often 
prevent any tumor from forming. If the tumor forms, then every means must 
be employed to cause it to suppurate. It will then be dangerous to scatter it. 
If the bowels are obstructed, remove the contents of the rectum by the follow- 
ing injection: 

4 Drachms powdered sloes, 

1 Drachm common salt, 

2 Drachms hot water. 

Mix, and inject when blood warm. 

Use every possible means to promote the formation of pus, as follows: 

1 Part powdered slippery elm, 

1 Part poplar bark, 

1 Part ground flax seed. 

Moisten with vinegar and water equal parts, quilt between two folds of 
cloth and apply to as large a surface as possible. When the tumor has formed 
pus and is nearly ripe, which may be known by a soft place where it is working 
its way to the surface, open it with a knife with a round-pointed blade, and if 
necessary increase the opening with a button-pointed bistoury, to allow free 
exit of matter. It will give almost immediate relief. Then apply to the 
swollen glands night and morning, the following: 

4 Oz. spirits of camphor, 

3 Oz. pyroligeous acid, 
1 Pint neat's foot oil. 

Mix. If the acid is not to be easily obtained use strong vinegar. Prepare 
the following powders: 

2 Oz. powdered gentain, 

1 Oz. powdered golden seal, 

1 Oz. powdered pleurisy root, 

1 Pound powdered liquorice root. 

Mix, and divide into six powders, to be given in the food night and morn- 
ing. 

NASAL GLEET. 

Causes. This affliction sometimes follows distemper and strangles and is 
one of the attendants on glanders, sometimes running into it. It is sometimes 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 31 

caused by a chronic affection of the schneiderian surfaces. It is caused some- 
times by the relaxing and enlarging of the ducts communicating between the 
cavities of the mouth and nose by disease, allowing the semi-liquid food and its 
juices to pass into the nostrils. This is true chronic gleet, and the discharge is 
tinged with what the animal eats. 

How to Know It. Discharge is not always present, neither is it uniform, 
sometimes during fair weather it will be discontinued. The discharge is a thick 
yellow mucous tinged with green, if the food be grass, or with the color of the 
food. If it becomes purulent, that is pus, matter, and tinged with blood, it 
may end in ulceration of the cartilages of the nose, and in glanders. 

How to Cure. In mild cases look for decayed molar (grinding) teeth; if 
found, remove them. Look for swelling of the frontal bone, produced by 
bruises. Put the horse where he may be comfortable, let his diet be light, but 
soft; fresh grass in summer, with good food. Inject the nasal passages thor- 
oughly with the following: 

1 Oz. bayberry bark, 
1 Pint boiling water. 

When cool strain through a close linen or white flannel ciotn, and inject 
daily. 

Prepare the following: 

1 Part Grains of Paradise, 
1 Part white mustard seed, 
1 Part powdered sulphur, 
1 Part powdered charcoal. 

Mix, and give one ounce daily in the food. 

Or, take of alum, y 2 lb.; blue vitriol, y 2 lb.; grind and mix well with y 2 lb. 
of ginger; give one large spoonful every night and morning. Keep him out 
of the wet and do not work him. 

NASAL POLYPUS. 

Polypus may form upon any of the cavaties of the body which communi- 
cate with the air, being peculiar to the mucous membrane. These grown to such 
size as to seriously impair breathing, are accompanied sometimes by discharge 
of mucus which is pure. That is, it is thrown out as soon as formed, and there- 
fore it is not fetid. It is altogether better to call in the aid of a veterinary 
surgeon. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Diseases of the Throat, Chest and Lungs. 



CHEST FOUNDER. 



This when it is not soreness of the muscles from hard work, is rheumatism 
in its acute form. Sometimes it is caused by lesion, or straining of the muscles 
or the tendons connected with them. 

Causes. It may be brought on by suddenly allowing the horse to become 
chilled after heating, giving large drafts of cold water when warm, or driv- 
ing him into cold water up to his belly when heated. 

How to Know It. The horse is dull; his coat may be staring; he is stiff, 
and moves unwillingly. Sometimes the soreness extends to the limbs; usually 
does from sympathy. There is fever in the parts affected and accelerated pulse, 
the latter from 70 to 80 beats in a minute. Also, sometimes profuse sweating 
and heaving at the flanks, but the legs will remain warm. The parts affected 
may be more or less swollen, but always tender to the touch. 

What to Do. Clothe the horse warmly, and put him where he may be kept 
so. Wash the throat in warm salt and water. Relieve the bowels as soon as 
possible by an injection of soap suds, if the rectum be impacted. Give as a 
laxative 4 drachms of Barbados aloes, pulverized and mixed into a ball with mo- 
lasses and linseed meal to form a mass, or give the following: 

y 2 Oz. ground ginger, 
1 Drachm tartar emetic, 
1 Pint salt and water. 

Mix and give as warm as the horse can swallow it. As a rule the horse 
being thoroughly physicked will get better. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Causes. Exposure of a heated and steaming horse to chill or over exertion, 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 33 

and leaving the horse in the stable, when the system is quite relaxed. Riding 
to town and leaving a horse in the cold wind while the owner is making him- 
self comfortable. There is first a cold, enlarged glands and swelled throat. 
The inflammation extends down from the larynx through the trachea into the 
bronchial tubes and air passages of the lungs, and ends in confirmed and incur- 
able bronchitis. 

How to Know It. In the acute stage there is difficulty and rapidity of 
breathing, from the filling of the membranes with blood and the consequent 
diminishing of the size of the tube. After a time mucus is formed and increases 
the difficulty of breathing and causes a cough. The pulse will be 60 or 70 beats 
per minute; the cough will become hard and dry, and the sound in the throat 
will be rattling, and after the secretion of mucus a gurgling sound will be given 
similar to that made in blowing soap bubbles. In extreme cases the breathing 
becomes extremely laborious, the cough is constant and distressing, the legs are 
extended, and at length the animal dies of suffocation. 

What to do. The first step is to find the extent of the inflammation. 
Clothe the animal warmly and give an injection of warm water to relieve the 
bowels. Avoid all strong purgatives. In fact, give none unless the bowels are 
decidedly bound up. Let the food be soft and laxative, green grass in summer, 
or mashes and gruels in winter. For the throat, scalded soft hay, fastened by 
means of the eight tailed bandages, will be good. Wash the neck and chest 
with a weak decoction of tobacco as hot as it can be borne. When dry, shave the 
hair from the chest and apply a blister of better strength than that advised 
for chest founder. The following will be good: 

1 Oz. powdered cantharides, 
1 Oz. powdered resin, 
4 Oz. lard oil. 

Melt the resin and lard together, with just sufficient heat to melt the resin. 
Add the cantharides and stir until it sets together. Apply to the chest and 
throat if the case is desperate. If only irritation is desired the following will 
be good: 

4 Ounces lard oil, 

1 Ounce turpentine, 

6 Drachms powdered cantharides. 

Shave the hair and apply by rubbing in. 

For the body prepare a strong cloth as shown on preceding page. Get two 
pieces of flannel three yards long and the full width of the fabric, also four 
pieces half a yard long and a foot wide. Saturate one of the pieces with cold 



34 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

water, fold, and apply near the top of the back, equally on each side. Two of 
the smaller pieces are to be saturated with water and laid along the sides of 
the chest, fasten the jacket at the back so as to hold all snug. When the flan- 
nels are warm remove them and replace immediately with others. So continue 
for two or three hours as the case may be, and then allow them to remain until 
the animal is pretty well recovered. 

In very aggravated cases of congestion give every half hour until the pulse 
regains its tone, and then at longer intervals, reduced at last to once a day, the 
following : 

1 Ounce sulphuric ether, 
1 Ounce laudanum, 
1 Pint water, 

At the third dose discontinue if the effect required is not produced and give 
the following: 

y 2 Ounce of aconite, 

Y 2 Drachm of extract of belladonna. 

Rub down the belladonna with an ounce of water. Mix. Give this every 
hour until the pulse is better, then withdraw the aconite and half the laudanum, 
and add half a drachm of belladonna to the drink first recommended. Let the 
food be thick gruel of oatmeal, boiled potatoes, and oatmeal and bran mashes. 
Give no dry, and especially no dirty food. When the animal begins to recover 
so as to eat whole grain, grass and hay, let them be especially freed from dust, 
and let them be given moistened, until the horse be perfectly recovered. 

PNEUMONIA, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 

This may follow acute congestion of the lungs, this being really its first 
stage, though often not noticed, by the ordinary observer, as such. But con- 
gestion may occur in its sudden and fatal form from overtaxing a fat horse, or 
one otherwise out of condition. Suppose from hard driving or hard riding, he 
hangs heavily on the bit; droops and staggers. If not pulled up he may fall; 
or getting to the stable he stands with dilated nostrils, extended head, quick, 
convulsive or labored breathing, eyes staring and bloodshot, his nasal mem- 
brane deep red or blue, and pulse rapid and weak; if in putting the ear to the 
chest there is a loud respiratory murmur with crepitation ( a peculiar slight 
cracking sound) ; if the heart, as felt behind the left elbow, is beating tumul- 
tuously; if the limbs are cold, with perspiration breaking out on different parts 
of the body, there is no time to lose. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 35 

Remove everything from the animal that may impede breathing, and allow 
him plenty of fresh air. Give an active stimulant, the easiest to be had; whisky, 
four or five ounces, or a tumblerfull in a half pint of water. If this cannot be 
had give an ounce of ground ginger in a pint of water. Give also warm water 
injections to relieve the bowels, and also while the body is enveloped in blankets 
wrung out of hot water, and covered with dry ones. If the patient does not 
soon recover under this treatment the case will be one of pneumonia. 

How to Know It. If the disease does not succeed to the symptoms we have 
just described, those of acute congestion, there will be a chill with shivering, 
and generally a dry cough, but deep as though from the chest. There will be 
a hot skin, indicating fever, quick, labored breathing, a full but oppressed pulse. 
The membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth will be red, and as the disease 
advances, a yellowish or whitish matter will come from the nostrils. The horse 
will always stand with the legs wide apart; so will the ox in bad cases, and the 
latter will moan with each expiration of the breath. Generally the ox will lie 
down. There will be crepitation of the lungs about the seat of the disease, and 
a more than normal murmur upon applying the ear. By percussion, striking the 
affected parts, there will be flinching and even groaning, but except at the seat 
of the disease the chest will retain its healthy sound, while the diseased parts 
will sound dull and solid. Thus, by the ear, and sounding by the hand, the 
progress of the solidification of the lungs may be followed from day to day. 

What to Do. Place the animal in a loose box stall, with plenty of venti- 
lation to the stable. If the bowels are costive, loosen them by injections of 
warm water. Bandage the limbs to keep them warm, and give the body such 
clothing as the necessities of the case seem to require. Let the food be simple, 
laxative and cooling. Bran mashes, boiled carrots, linseed meal, soft sweet hay. 
Do not check diarrhoea or profuse stooling; it is an effect of nature to relieve 
the system. If there is fever, give plenty of water. If there is swift pulse and 
oppression of the lungs, give 20 to 30 drops of tincture of aconite in half a pint 
of water, or 1 to 2 drachms of tincture of veratrum in water every two hours. 
If, under this treatment, the system becomes depressed, and it must be watched, 
discontinue. If the pulse falls — if there is trembling sweats, and a peculiar 
anxious expression in the eyes, discontinue. If there is great exhaustion, give 
moderate doses of whisky, but discontinue it unless good effects are seen. If 
there is much weakness, give 2 drachms each of camphor and of carbonate of 
ammonia, made into a ball with molasses and linseed meal, twice a day. In 
the case of considerable congestion, strong mustard poultices will be indicated, 
to be applied to the chest. 

In the case of cattle, the same general treatment should be followed. 
Double the quantity of aconite and ammonia should be given. As a rule, cattle 



36 THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

require more than the horse; and in giving medicine to cattle it must trickle 
down the throat, in order that it may not pass into the first stomach. 

In this disease symptoms must be watched. Good nursing is of especial 
value, and as the animal begins to recover give soft and easily digestible food, 
and assist the system if necessary with wine, ale or whisky in very light doses. 

PLEURISY. 

This is an inflammation of the membrane of the lining of the chest and 
covering of the lungs. It is common to all domestic animals, in exposed situa- 
tions and those liable to rheumatism. The pleura is one of the serous mem- 
branes, those lining closed cavities, as the chest, abdomen and joints. In health 
they are insensible to us, but under the effects of inflammation the most sensi- 
tive and painful possible. Since every inspiration and expiration of the breath 
moves these membranous linings upon each other, we can see at once the extreme 
anguish it must occasion. If relief is not soon obtained the disease quickly ends 
in death. 

How to Know. There will be some alternations of shivering followed by 
heat of the skin, sometimes extending to the limbs. There will be localized 
sweating and congestion of the muscles. If confined to one side the foot of 
that side will be extended. The animal will look at the flank, lie down, rise 
again, and there will be general uneasiness indicative of pain. The pulse will 
be quick and hard, seeming to strike the finger under the compression. There 
will be inclination to cough, but which the animal will fear to exercise. The 
cough is not always present, but when so, is always suppressed, short and hack- 
ing. The breathing will be hurried, but apparently confined to the abdominal 
muscles, the inspiration short and checked, but the expiration slow and pro- 
longed. In pneumonia and bronchitis there is often intense redness of the 
nose, in pleurisy less. There is no nasal discharge and the heat of the breath 
is not so great as in pneumonia. After effusion of serum (fluid matter or water) 
into the cavity of the chest ensues, which may be in 24 or 36 hours, the pulse 
becomes soft, and the animal seems better. If the effusion is re-absorbed the 
animal will recover. If not, the pulse loses its full tone, and again becomes 
hard and quick. The breathing is again difficult and attended with lifting of 
the flank and loin. The nose and head is extended, the nostrils are dilated, 
with signs of suffocation. The pulse at length becomes weak, thrilling at each 
beat until at length the animals wavers, staggers, falls and dies. 

An attack of pleurisy is often taken by those unacquainted with the disease 
for spasmodic colic. This error, if made, will probably be fatal to the animal 
affected. In colic the pulse is natural at the commencement, and the paroxysms 
of pain are of short duration. In pleurisy the artery is thin, the pulsations 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 37 

seem to strike the fingers, but the stroke is short. The pain is continuous, the 
body hot, but the feet generally cold. 

What to Do. The same general care as in bronchitis and inflammation of 
the lungs is to be observed. If there is a chill, wrap the horse completely in 
blankets wrung out of hot water, and cover with dry ones. When removed, 
do so a little at a time, rubbing dry, and re-clothe warmly. If taken in its 
earliest stage, give: 

% Ounce laudunum, 
V 2 Pint linseed oil. 

This will often prove effective; if not, repeat the dose in a few hours. For 
an ox, give double this dose. If the symptoms increase, apply a strong mustard 
poultice to the side of the chest, or a blister. The bowels should be kept 
moderately open. If effusion of water takes place, give 6 drachms of acetate 
of potassa once or twice a day in a pail of water. The following will be found 
excellent in place of the last named remedy, if there is weakness and a rapid 
pulse (70 to 80), and scanty urine: 

y 2 Ounce tincture of chloride of iron, 
% pail water, 

Give as a drink twice daily. 

The effusion of water not yielding, the chest may be tapped with a trochar. 
Divide the skin with a lancet between the eighth and ninth ribs and near the 
lower end. Be careful the air does not enter. Draw off only a part of the water 
if it produces a shock. In this, one should have the advice of a veterinarian. 
Repeat in 24 to 48 hours. The animal should be kept up with sulphate of iron, 
2 drachms, twice a day, in water, with stimulants and easily digestible and 
nutritious food. 

It is absolutely necessary, after effusion of water has taken place, that the 
urine should be passed freely to assist absorption. To this end the following 
will be indicated: 

1 Drachm iodide of potassium, 
1 Drachm carbonate of ammonia, 
y 2 Ounce powdered gentain. 

Give twice a day as a drench in a quart of water, or as a ball mixed with 
linseed meal and molasses. 

COLDS. 

Colds in horses, as in the human family, are usually the result of improper 



38 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

care or undue exposure. Taking a horse from a hot, illy-ventilated stable, and 
allowing him after driving to become cold, is one prolific cause of colds. There 
are so many means of causing this disability that it would be impossible to 
enumerate them. If the attack is light, all that will be necessary will be to 
clothe the animal warmly and relax the bowels with a warm mash, and give rest 
for a few days. 

Sometimes, however, the attack is prolonged and severe. The appetite 
ceases, the coat roughens, parts of the body are hot and others cold, the mem- 
brane of the nose at first dry and pale, with the facial sinuses clogged, at length 
terminates in a discharge more or less great, without improving the health of 
the horse. 

What to Do. Keep the animal warmly clothed, in ample box stall, with 
plenty of bedding. If the cold does not give way in a few days after the first 
attack, and the symptoms are as we have indicated, or if the membranes of 
the nose are dry, make a sack of coarse gunny cloth, large enough so it may 
fit the nose properly, but enlarging to the bottom, and two feet or more long, 
with a slit covered with a coarse pine sawdust with which half an ounce of 
spirits of turpentine has been thoroughly mixed. Place the bag on the nose. 

Turn two gallons of hot water in the slit, and every twenty minutes repeat, 
allowing the bag to remain on an hour each time. Use this six times a day 
until the discharge begins. When water runs freely from the nose, three times 
daily will be enough. Let the food be good scalded oats or other like food, with 
mashes if the bowels are constipated. 

An animal with this kind of a cold should not be put to steady work until 
entirely recovered. The result of protracted cold is great weakness, and work 
before recovery often leads to disease of the air passages and lungs. If there 
is much fever give the following: 

? Drachms spirits of ammonia, 
2 Drachms ether. 

Mix and give in a little gruel, (say y 2 pint), twice a day. If the throat is 
involved, poultice it with linseed meal in which a little mustard has been mixed. 
When the symptoms give way and improvement begins, or if the appetite is not 
good prepare the following: 

2 Ounces powdered gentain, 

2 Ounces carbonate of ammonia. 

Form this into a mass, with linseed oil and molasses, divided into eight 
parts and give one twice each day. If the cold becomes chronic it ends in 
catarrh. When there are catarrhal symptoms and sore throat, give the follow- 
ing: 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 39 

1 Drachm extract of "belladonna, 

2 Drachms ipecac, 

2 Drachms powdered camphor, 
4 Drachms niter. 

Mix into a ball with linseed oil, and give one every three or four hours. In 
inveterate or chronic cold there is discharge, and swelling of the lymphatic 
gland. We have already shown how glanders may be known. 

In case the horse gets cold, it is better that he be examined by a compe- 
tent veterinary surgeon, in order to be sure the disease is not glanders. 

ENLARGED GLANDS— GOITRE. 

There are various glands in the throat that are subject to enlargement from 
disease, and which remain permanent after the disease is passed. This result 
is generally more unsightly as a blemish than as a real disability. Goitre, 
however, is a disease peculiar to some limestone regions, producing in animals, 
as in man, a swelling of the thyroid gland. In some portions of the east, it is 
quite previlent, producing extensive enlargements in lambs. It also attacks 
cattle and swine. In solid-hoofed animals, as in the horse, there may be a 
swelling on either side;in others it is in the center just below the roots of the 
jaws. For all enlargements of the glands, tincture of iodine will disperse the 
swelling if it may be possible. In bronchoeele or goitre, rainwater only should 
be given to drink; iodine in doses of ten grains daily may be given on an empty 
stomach, and the swelling may be painted with the tincture. This to be per- 
sisted in for months. Another remedy that has been successful, is the follow- 
ing: 

y 2 Drachm iodide of potassium, 
1 Drachm liquor potassae, 
y 2 Pint rainwater. 

Mix, and give as a dose night and morning, using the tincture of iodine on 
the goitre. 

SWELLED THROAT, OR LARYNGITIS. 

Causes. Foul stables or any cause producing colds, catarrh, etc. 

How to Know It. The animal is dull. The head is carried in a peculiar 
manner, as though the neck were stiff. There is a short, frequent cough, the 
breath is hurried, the pulse full and throbbing, and the membranes of the nasal 
passages are high colored, almost scarlet. There will be a hoarse sound, ap- 
proaching to a grunt, at each breath taken, if the ears are held against the ani- 
mal's windpipe. Externally there is more or less enlargement over the region 



40 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

of the larynx, the enlargement of the windpipe next the throat. Handling the 
throat seems to produce extreme pain. 

What to Do. Reduce the pulse at once by doses of tincture of aconite in 
a wine glass full of water, repeated every half hour. Place the steaming-bag 
on the nose, as recommended for colds. Keep it employed almost constantly 
for there may be danger of strangulation. If the steaming seems to distress 
the animal, omit it, or use it only occasionally, and soak soft hay in boiling 
water and apply to the throat as hot as can be borne. Bandage and fasten with 
the eight-tailed bandage previously described. Or, ferment the throat with 
cloths wrung out of hot mustard water. If there is difficulty in swallowin- 
put a tea-spoonfnl of the following well back on the tongue several times a day: 

1 Ounce powdered guaiacum, 

4 Ounces powdered chlorate of potash, 

Vz Pint of molasses. 

Do not in administering anything, force the jaws wide apart. Act as gently 
as possible. If the animal is feverish and the throat hot and dry, give three 
times a day, in a pint of cold linseed tea, the following: 

1 Drachm powdered ipecac, 

1 Ounce solution of acetate of ammonia. 

In case the disease becomes chronic, the following excitant to the throat 
will be indicated: 

1 Part oil of turpentine, 

1 Part solution of ammonia, 

1 Part olive oil. 

Mix, shake the bottle before using, and rub well in on the throat every day. 

CHRONIC COUGH. 

There are many cases of long standing or chronic cough. Cough is an 
attendant upon so many disorders of the air passages, from the most trivial 
difficulty in teething to glanders, that a cough should not be overlooked in the 
diagnosis of diseases. And so many diseases leave the patient with a chronic 
cough, that its symptomatic stages should be carefully observed. 

Coughing tends generally to a thickening of the membranes. When the 
membrane covering the larynx becomes thickened, and consequently morbidly 
sensitive, the cough becomes fixed or what is termed chronic. 

The sense of smell in the nose is peculiarly acute, and the membranes of 

the nose and throat, as a matter of course, are fully as sensitive. We have said 

'the limbs and feet are half the horse; the lungs the test of his endurance.'' 

Yet nine in ten of the stables in which horses are kept are offensive to man and 

irritate the air passages when first entered. Yet the sense of smell in man is 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 41 

not very acute, except in a few directions. A stable therefore, offensive to man 
is not a fit place for horses to be kept, where the lungs constitute one of the 
principal excellencies of the animal. 

The cough which accompanies the several diseases of which this volume 
treats, will be described in the treatment of the diseases themselves. In this 
article chronic cough will be treated, the cough that is always present in eating, 
drinking and inhaling a cold draught of air, or from any cause of excitement, 
requiring long and careful nursing for their cure. The chronic cough, result- 
ing from colds, is hard and metallic. For this, the following will be good, to 
be rubbed on the throat and around the windpipe, once in ten days: 

15 Drops croton oil, 
1 Ounce glycerine, 

Give twice a day, for a week, the following: 

40 Drops diluted prussic acid, 
1 Ounce niter, 

1 Ounce bicarbonate of soda, 
1 Quart w^ter. 

If this does not give relief, the following, valuable for irritable chronic 
cough, the result of influenza or sore throat, may be used: 

1 Ounce Fowler's solution of arsenic, 
1 Ounce chlorate of potash, 
1 Drachm belladonna. 

Give once a day in water or gruel and note results, ceasing after a week 
or ten days, if no improvement ensues. For cough and sore throat, when first 
discovered, take : 

1 Drachm powdered camphor, 

1 Drachm extract belladonna, 

2 Ounces sweet spirits niter. 

Give in a pint of cold gruel three times a day. Tar-water is well known to 
be valuable in obstinate coughs. Give every morning as a drink, the following: 

1 Drachm powdered squills, 
y 2 Pint tar-water, 
y 2 Pint lime-water. 

BROKEN WIND; BELLOWS; HEAVES. 

Causes. Broken wind is the result both of disease of the lungs and violent 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

exertions. Feeding on dusty hay and grain are proline sourees of the disease 
Where no elover hay ls nsed, the disease is rare. It is mainly eonflned to hordes 
and tt™ T :', T atUrity - A h ° rSe f6d fOT da ^ ^ 'eekB on dusty hay 

Saiar'T „' W1 " 6XMbit heaV6S ' UUleSS MS 1U ^ S - d aigest on ar^' 
l^Zl 7- ^ h V 1SeaSe 1S us ™% known in the South under the name of 
bellows, and in the North as heaves, either of them expressive of the kea'e 

How to Know It. Broken wind is nearly allied to asthma in man but is 
more continuous an lta aetion and less liable to oeeur in paroxysms At eae h 
breath there wall be a two-fold motion of the flank, caused by aTilint in of 
the abdommal walls, causing the flank to lift, then after a perceptible interval 
a rising of the back part of the belly assists in freeing the lungs of a r There 
is a short, dry cough, sometimes almost inaudible, following by whirring. 

t™= Wha , 1° ?°' Th6re 1S n ° P ermanent «"* for this disability. The symp- 
toms and distress may be alleviated by giving only sound grain and K 
hard hay, free from dust. Prairie hay with plenty of resin leaf in it is best- 
next, clean cured cornstalks. But little water should be allowed at a time and 
not more than 6 to 8 pounds of hay, daily, and this given at night, the proven 
der being confined as much as possible to grain and grass in summer, and" 
bran-xnashes and carrots or potatoes in winter. ' 

This will enable many broken-winded horses to do a fair amount of work 
wxth comparatxve comfort. In any event, a horse inclined to be thick-winded 

LZ^T I , n6Ver ^ tiShtly CheCked UP ' n0r above all > be drf ven by 
pulling in the head, causing nndue bearing either of the curb or snaffle on 
tlie jaw. 

since 1 , 1 ) 6 anl v al 1°K ld ^ aU ° Wed t0 h ° Id US h6ad in the easiest Portion, 
since its work must be necessarily slow. 

A still farther alleviation may be obtained from the use of balsam of fir and 
balsam of copabia, 4 Ozs. each; and mix with calcined magnesia sufficiently 
thick to make it into balls; give a middling sized hall night and morning for a 
week or ten days. Or take calcined magnesia, balsam of fir, and balsam of 
copabia, of each 1 Oz., spirits of turpentine, 2 Ozs., and put them all into 1 
pint of the best vinegar, and give for a dose 1 tablespoon in his feed once a 
day, tor a week; then every other for 2 or 3 months. 

INFLUENZA. 

This epizootic, which first and last has been prevalent in nearly all countries 
where the horse is used, is, as to its origin, bnt little understood. Its symptons, 
however, are well known, but these may be complicated by inflammatory symp- 
toms of all the air passages; also by rheumatic swellings, delirium and inflam- 
mation of the eyes. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 43 

How to Know It. The attack may be sudden. There will be stupor and 
weakness, the head will be held low, the eyes dull and half closed, the gait will 
be weak, with cracking of the joints sometimes. There will be no appetite, and 
fever; the mouth hot and clammy, the bowels costive, with scanty urine; the 
pulse quick and weak, but sometimes hard; the membrane of the nose may be 
pink, or a deep leaden hue ; the cough will be deep and harsh ; the coat rough and 
staring; the skin tender and sometimes trembling, and the ears and limbs 
alternately hot and cold. Upon applying the ear to the lungs crepitation will 
be heard, or sometimes a harsh blowing sound. As the disease progresses, and 
the nose discharges a white, yellowish or greenish water, the animal may get 
better; but when the lungs are seriously involved, the symptoms will increase. 
As a rule there is constipation, although purging is sometimes present. 

What to Do. Place the animal in a well littered stall, free from drafts of 
air. Do not depend upon strong physic. The cure must be effected by watch- 
ing the symptoms and combating them. If there is costiveness keep the bowels 
open by injections of two wine glasses full of linseed oil. Relief must be had 
by means of stimulants and tonics. Good nursing must be constant, with 
clothing enough to keep the animal warm. A good tonic and stimulant is: 

2 Oz. of gentain, 

2 Oz. carbonate ammonia. 

Form in eight doses and give one night and morning. If the cough is dis- 
tressing prepare the following: 

% Oz. extract belladonna, 

2 Drachms powdered opium, 

3 Drachms camphor, 
2 Oz. liquorice, 

y 2 Pint molasses. 

Mix thoroughly and spread a tablespoonful on the tongue twice a day. If 
with the cough there is a sore throat and catarrh, prepare the following: 

20 grains iodine, 

1 Drachm iodide of potassium, 

2 Ounces sweet spirits of niter, 
1 Pint water and gruel. 

Give this as a dose twice a day. If the animal should begin to improve it 
will be about the fifth day. 



CHAPTER V. 



Diseases of the Stomach and Bowels 



SOUR STOMACH. 



Animals living npon vegetable food, where the mastication or the grinding 
down of the substances taken into the month is imperfectly accomplished, or 
where a greedy animal is allowed to overload the stomach with food, since it 
is thus imperfectly moistened with saliva, are subject to acidity of the stomach, 
fermentation of the food, and the diseases attendant thereupon. Carbonic acii 
gas 1S evolved, and if not checked in time will sometimes cause violent and 
extreme distension and inflammation of the stomach, the result of decomposi- 
tion or spasmodic colic, with paroxysms of extreme agony, and sometimes the 
most violent rupture of the stomach ending in death. 

* ^ e fl en , SeG Vi0lent distension of th * stomach in cattle when turned into 
a field of flush clover when hungry; the remedy in this case is thrusting a tro- 
cnar or knife into the stomach to allow the escape of the gases. When in the 
horse inflammatory action has been set up it may lead to many diseases, each 
oi which must be treated according to the symptoms exhibited. 

In the first stage or that of simple acidity of the stomach, if taken in time 
treatment is comparatively easy. It is called sour stomach, acute gastritis! 
indigestion, tympany, etc. 

Causes. Suspended digestion and consequent fermentation from overload- 
ing the stomach with improperly chewed food. This will never occur in slow 
feeders that fully grind and saturate the food with saliva, since in this case the 
appetite is fully satisfied before overloading ensues. Colic may occur by oivin* 
large draughts of water immediately after feeding, thus washing forward the 
food beyond the stomach. Sour stomach may also ensue from indigestible and 
easily fermented food, and inflammation from eating plants that irritate the 
stomach. 

How to Know It. The first symptoms are sour stomach, simple colic, or 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 45 

fermentation. There is fullness, causing undue distension; then quickened, 
deep but oppressed breathing; the animal is dull and stupid; there is increasing 
pain, and at length, if relief is not obtained, more violent symptoms set in. 

What to Do. Give immediately one or two ounces of magnesia. Evacuate 
the bowels by means of injections of warm water. Rub the belly with con- 
siderable friction one way, from the forelegs back. If there is griping give 
the following: 

15 to 20 Drops oil of peppermint, 
1 Ounce of laudanum. 

If the weather is cold, blanket and walk the horse to assist in giving relief. 

In the case of the ox, give double the dose mentioned; sheep one-quarter to 
one-third the dose for the horse, except of laudunum, of which give the sheep 
2 to 3 drachms. 

COLIC. 

This may be of two kinds, spasmodic, or flatulent colic. The first is the 
result of cramps or spasmodic contractions, causing severe pain with tendency 
to inflammation. The other of distension of the bowels with tendency to in- 
flammation and rupture of the coats. 

How to Know Spasmodic Colic. There will be spasms of pain, with paw- 
ing, striking of the belly with the hind foot, looking around at the flanks, lying 
down and suddenly getting up, rolling, or lying stretched out for an instant; 
then suddenly rising, the horse will shake himself as the pain intermits. Again 
the pain returns and the same performances are gone through. There may be 
frequent small discharges from the bowels and bladder, and during the attacks 
the pulse and breathing are accelerated. 

What to Do. Relieve the pain by means of an opiate, and cause movement 
of the bowels. To do this in mild cases the following will be good in connec- 
tion with injections of warm water. 

y 2 Ounce of laudanum, 
4 to 5 Drachms aloes, 
1 Pint hot water. 

Pulverize the aloes and dissolve in hot water. Cool as quickly as possible 
and add the laudunum, and give as a dose. If there is abundant formation of 
gas, give the following promptly: 

4 Drachms aloes, 

1 Ounce sulphuric ether, 

1 Ounce laudanum. 



46 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

To mix, pulverize the aloes in a pint and half of hot water; cool, add the 
other ingredients and give immediately. 

The symptoms in cattle are uneasiness, shuffling of the hind legs when 
standing. When lying down they will kick with the outer limbs. There will 
be moaning and twisting of the tail. The same treatment is advised as for 
the horse, except that one pint of linseed oil should replace the aloes. Give 
the doses by allowing the liquid to trickle down the throat very slowly. The 
doses should be double that of the horse. Swine should have castor oil, one 
ounce, in place of the linseed oil; and sheep three-quarters of an ounce. Other- 
wise the doses should be about one-quarter to one-fifth those ordered for the 
horse. 

Flatulent Colic This disease is dangerous, and is generally the result of 
a chronic distension of the bowels, with tendency to inflammation and rupture 
of the coats. 

It may be the result of some other disease, or appear as a consequence of 
the spasmodic form; or, may be produced by the same causes as those assigned 
to the acute form. 

How to Know It. The expression of pain is constant but not so acute. 
The pulse is rapid and feeble, with difficult breathing; the feet and ears are 
cold, the abdomen is tense and swollen, and it sounds drum-like when struck. 
The animal is weak and sometimes delirious. The intestines are painful (sore) 
as is shown by the cautious manner of lying down; if, indeed, the horse lies down 
at all. 

What to Do. Be careful about giving purgatives. Act by injections of 
soapsuds and oil of turpentine; removing the contents of the impacted rectum 
with the well oiled hand. Give the following injection: 

y 2 Pint oil of turpentine, 
1 Quart of soapsuds. 

Repeat in half an hour if necessary. If there is great distension, puncture 
the large intestine, or, where the sound when tapping with the knuckles is most 
drum-like, plunge in a trochar and allow the gas to escape through the canula. 
Give the following according to circumstances: 

V 2 to 1 Ounce laudanum, 

2 to 4 Ounces tincture assafoetida. 

Mix in a pint of gruel. 

Or use : spirits of turpentine, 3 Ozs. ; laudunum, 1 Oz. ; mix, and give all for 
a dose, by putting it into a bottle with y 2 pint of warm water, which prevents 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 47 

injury to the throat. If relief in not obtained in one hour, repeat the dose, ad- 
ding y 2 oz. of the best powdered aloes, well dissolved together. 

BOTS. 

When a horse is attacked with bots, it may be known by the occasional 
nipping at their own sides, and by red pimples or projections on the inner sur- 
face of the upper lip, which may be plainly seen by turning up the lip. 

First take new milk, 2 quarts; molasses, 1 quart; and give the horse the 
whole amount. Second, 15 minutes afterwards give very warm sage tea, 2 
quarts. Lastly, 30 minutes after the tea, you will give of currier's oil, three 
pints, (or enough to operate as a physic). Lard has been used, when the oil 
could not be obtained, with the same success. 

The cure will be complete, as the milk and molasses cause the bots to let 
go their hold, the tea puckers them up, and the oil carries them entirely away. 
If you have any doubt, one trial will satisfy you perfectly. In places where 
the currier's oil cannot be obtained, substitute the lard, adding three or four 
ounces of salt with it; if no lard, dissolve a double handful of salt in warm 
water, three pints, and give all. 

Or, make one-half gallon of sage tea, add to it one ounce of alum, drench 
with one-half of it, and if he is not better in thirty or forty minutes, give the 
balance — in six hours give a mild physic. This will never fail if given in time. 
Never give turpentine, as many do; it will affect the kidneys. 

SPONTANEOUS SALIVATION. 

Causes. This infirmity is generally the result of or symptom of some other 
affliction. It is often produced by something the animal has eaten. White 
clover will produce it. Caries and other diseases of the teeth; dentition, paralysis 
of the lips, ulcers of the mouth, irritating food, irritation by the bit, and es- 
pecially from medicants attached to the bits of horses by ignorant stable men. 
It occurs as a free discharge of saliva in frothy masses or in stringy filaments, 
with frequent swallowing, thirst, and generally indigestion. 

What to Do. Remove the cause. If the cause is from alkalies, wash the 
mouth with weak vinegar. If from acid, use lime water; if from caustic salts, 
use white of egg, or tea of slippery elm bark. If there is inflammation with 
costiveness, open the bowels with injections of warm water, or soapsuds, and 
wash the mouth frequently with alum water. If there are ulcers touch them 
with a feather wet with the following: 

10 Grains lunar caustic, 
1 Ounce distilled water. 



48 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

the SwTn are tUm ° rS WitH PUS ' lanCe th6m ' K therG iS slou ^ in S wash ™& 



1 Drachm solution of permanganate of potassa, 
1 Pint rain water. 

Give plenty of cool water, so the animal may take it at will, and feed with 
soft or boiled food, and if there is much swelling, keep the head tied up. 

CHRONIC GASTRITIS. 

Causes. Anything which impairs the digestive function may produce this 
disease. It is, however, in its chronic form, extremely rare. The ordinary food 
will be refused, and the animal will persist in eating foreign substances-old 
lime mortar, the wood work of the stable, earth, litter and bedding 

How to Know It. There is a dry cough; the membranes of the mouth and 
nostrils are dry and pale; the breath is tainted; the evacuations smell badly the 
eyes are sunk, the coat dry and ragged; the horse loses condition and becomes 
pot bellied; the anus is lax and prominent. 

What to Do. The cure will take time. Prevent the animal from indulging 
its unnatural appetite. The following made into a ball will be indicated: 

Yz Grain strychnia, 

1 Drachm bichromate of ammonia, 
Yz Drachm extract of belladonna, 

1 Drachm powdered gentain, 
Yz Drachm sulphate of zinc. 

Give this as a ball once a day. If after continuing several days there is no 
improvement, give the following: 

Yz Ounce liquor arsenicalis, 
Vz Ounce tincture ipecac, 
1 Ounce muriated tincture of iron, 
Yz Ounce laudanum, 
1 Pint of water. 

As the animal gets stronger give an ounce of sulphuric ether daily in a pint 
of water. 

If the animal has simply chronic indigestion, that is, the disease does not 
show in the severe form we have depicted, to improve the general health the 
following will be indicated: 

1 Ounce powdered assafoetida, 

1 Ounce powdered golden seal, 

2 Ounces powdered ginger, 
2 Ounces powdered poplar bark, 
5 Drachms powdered sulphate of iron, 
1 Drachm powdered red pepper, 
1 Pound of oatmeal. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 49 

Mix, divide into sixteen messes, and give one every night in the food. In 
addition to this the following will make a good appetizer: 

1 Quart brandy, 
1 Ounce salt. 

Mix and give a wine glass full night and morning in gruel, just before the 
food. The food given must be of the very best, and that which is easily digested. 
Boiled oats, shorts and carrots, with sufficient good hay to distend the stomach. 
Keep the animal muzzled during the intervals of feeding, to prevent foul feeding. 
That is, eating litter or other injurious substances. If acidity of the stomach 
be shown, moisten the hay given, and sprinkle it freely with magnesia. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE PERITONEUM. 

Inflammation of the lining membrane of the abdomen is likely to occur in 
all domestic animals. In ruminants the right side is most affected, and the 
animal will stand with its feet well together. 

Causes. Injuries either from rupture of the stomach or intestines, or from 
injuries to the abdominal walls, exposure to chill or cold, or giving an exhausted 
horse a wet bed to lie on. 

How to Know It. There may be colic, or steady pain. This will be acute 
when the affected parts are pressed. There may be chill and fever alternately, 
and loss of appetite. The pulse will be rapid and hard, and the breath quick 
and catching, but when effusion takes place the breathing will be deep and 
easier; the pulse will soften, the belly will be pendant, and there will be fluctua- 
tions when handled, from the water contained. 

What to Do. In the early stages, give full doses of laudanum; 1 to 2 ounces 
as may be needed, to allay pain and keep the bowels inactive. Apply mustard 
poultices to the abdomen, or in extreme cases the ammoniacal blister as previous- 
ly described. Frequent injections of thoroughly cooked gruel may be thrown 
into the rectum, but until the worst symptoms are past the animal should take 
nothing into the stomach. As the disease progresses favorably, great care 
should be exercised in feeding. Oat or rye meal gruel may first be given. If 
these agree well, give warm soft bran-mashes, with a little oat meal added, and 
at length hay and sound oats. 

In case absorption of the effusion of water in the cavity does not take place, 
which may be known by regular and ample staling, give 6 drachms potassa 
nitrate, daily, until the kidneys act. If tonics seem to be demanded, give daily 
doses of y 2 drachm oxide of iron. 



50 THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

PARASITES WHICH INFEST THE INTESTINES. 

The general symptoms for intestinal worms, in large quantity, are general 
ill health. The animal will lose condition ; the skin will be scurfy, dry and often 
itching; the animal will become hide bound and pot bellied; the appetite will be 
irregular but voracious; there will be foetid breath, diarrhea, passing of mucus 
with the dung, coliky pains, swelling, itching and puffy anus, and especially the 
passage of the worms or their eggs will be certain proof. The horse will raise 
the upper lip and rub it against anything near. Colts will pick and bite the 
hair from the body and limbs. Intestinal worms are the tape worms, round 
headed and flat headed, and five species of round worms. 

What to Do. Vermifuges are without number, some general in their na- 
ture, and otheers specific for particular classes. When worms are suspected, and 
the owner of the animal is not sure of the reality, it is safe to give a purge and 
watch the droppings. The following is a good vermifuge drench: 

4 Drachms aloes, 
1 Ounce powdered male fern, 
20 Drops oil of worm seed. 

Give this in a pint of warm gruel an hour before feeding in the morning. 

If it be found that there are tape worms, if the horse is weak, give an 
ounce of areca nut fasting and follow with 4 drachms of aloes. If the animal 
is strong, give an ounce of oil of turpentine in an ounce of water. In four hours 
give another dose and follow in an hour with 4 drachms aloes. In the case of 
common pin worms, (Sclerostomum Ectuinum) and all worms inhabiting the 
bowels except the tape worm, the following vermifuge will act kindly: 

1 Drachm tartar emetic, 
y 2 Drachm powdered ginger. 

Mix with enough linseed meal to form a ball, then moisten with hot water 
and give a dose daily for a week, before feeding. Follow with a dose of one 
pint of linseed oil, wait another week, and repeat as before. Then give good 
generous diet, with tonics daily, say 2 drachms sulphate of iron, or 4 drachms 
gentian in the food. 

For worms lodging in the gut near the rectum, give an injection of a strong 
decoction of wormwood or tansey. The prevention of worms is to pay attention 
to the water the animal drinks, and to give sound grain and hay as food. White 
ash bark, burnt to ashes, and made into rather a strong lye; then mix y 2 pint of 
it with warm water, 1 pint, and give all, 2 or 3 times daily, is highly recom- 
mended. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Diarrhoea is a condition of frequent watery discharges from the bowels, and 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 51 

may be produced by so many causes, as irritating and indigestible food, worms, 
severe purgation by medicines, disorders of the liver, or constitutional tendency, 
that no general rule can be given. The owner of the animal must find the cause 
before proceeding intelligently to give relief. The most we can do is to give 
some general indications. 

Sometimes diarrhoea is an effort of nature to rid the body of injurious 
matter; then the effort should be aided. Early in the effort give the horse a 
pint of linseed oil, or if an active purge be required, a pint of castor oil. If the 
diarrhoea does not cease, check it with ounce doses of laudanum and follow with 
tea of slippery elm bark, or linseed. If the difficulty refuse to give way, doses 
of 2 scruples of tannin may be given, or, doses of 3 drachms of catechu every 
hour until checked. The ox requires double the dose. Follow with tonics, say 
4 drachms of gentian daily, or one ounce of Peruvian bark, with sound, easily 
digested food. If caused by bad water, throw a handful of charcoal in the water 
before giving it to drink. The following will be found beneficial in the several 
cases mentioned. 

For sour and fetid discharges mix the following ingredients in the food 
twice or thrice daily: 

1 Ounce powdered chalk, 
1 Ounce bisulphate of soda. 

For sour discharges with griping, take: 

1 Drachm powdered opium, 
lDrachm powdered chalk, 
20 Drops carbolic acid. 

Form into a ball with linseed meal and molasses. 

If the bowels are simply in an irritable, relaxed condition, use the following: 

1 Ounce powdered chalk, 
1 Ounce catechu, 
1 Ounce ginger, 
1 Drachm opium. 

Make into ball with linseed meal and molasses. 

When the diarrhoea is the result of violent medical purging, try the fol- 
lowing : 

2 Ounces laudanum, 

2 Ounces powdered chalk. 

Mix, and give in a quart of thin starch, or flour gruel. For excessive and 
continued purging, give at one dose the following: 



52 THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

lOunce laudanum, 
1 Ounce sulphuric ether, 
20 Grains tannic acid. 

Mix in a pint of flax-seed tea. 

Astringent injections may be given as follows: 

2 Ounces laudanum, 

2 Drachms acetate of lead, 

1 Quart starch water. 

Inject half of this and follow with the remainder in three hours, if neces- 
sary, or give at one injection the following : 

4 Drachms tannic acid, 
1 Pint starch water. 

In case of cattle the same quantities may be used, but when given by the 
mouth it must be made to trickle slowly down the throat. Or try: Tormentil 
root, powdered. Dose : For a horse or cow, 1 to 1% ounces. It may be stirred 
in 1 pmt of milk and given, or it may be steeped in V/ 2 pints of milk, then given 
from 3 to 5 times daily until cured. 



CHAPTER VI 



Diseases of the Liver, Urinary Organs, Etc. 



YELLOW WATER. 



Symptoms. . .The eyes run and turn yellow, the base of the mouth the same, 
the hair and mane get loose, and he often is lame in the right shoulder and very 
costive. 

Give the following ball every morning until it operates upon the bowels. 
Take aloes, 7 drs. ; calomel, 1 dr.; ginger, 4 drs.; and molasses enough to make 
it into a ball, wrap it in paper and give it; give scalded bran and oats, grass if 
it can be got; when his bowels have moved, stop the physic, and give one ounce 
of the spirits of camphor in y% pint of water every morning for twelve days, 
give a few doses of cleansing powder. Turn him out. 

Cleansing Powder. This is used when the blood is out of order — good to 
restore lost appetite — yellow water, and wherever it is to be used it is spoken of. 
Take one lb. of good ginger, 4 ounces of powdered gentain, 1 ounce of nitre, y 2 
ounce of crude antimony, 3 ounces of fenugreek, 3 ounces of elecampane, 5 
ounces resin, mix all well, give one large spoonful every day in wet food. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 

Causes. Inflammation of the kidneys, Nephritis, is produced by a variety 
of causes. Blows on, or sprains in the region of the loins, calculi, the excessive 
use of diuretics to which some stablemen are prone, musty fodder, or that which 
contains irritant plants, etc. 

How to Know It. There will be more or less fever, sometimes a high fever; 
colicky pains; looking at the abdomen; the horse will lie down with extreme 
caution; frequent passages of urine in small quantities, but very high colored, 
sometimes containing blood and even pus; the legs swell uniformly from the 
hoofs up; the pulse is rapid, the bowels costive and the breathing excited; the 



54 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

horse straddles in his gait; this, however, is a general characteristic of all 
diseases of the urinary organs, but in severe inflammation it amounts almost to 
helplessness. 

There is, however, one test that is constant; there is extreme tenderness of 
the bony processes about six inches from the spine in the loins, pressure over 
the kidneys will show the terrible pain from the crouching attitude the horse 
assumes. 

If the urine is examined under a microscope, the fibrinous casts of the kid- 
ney tubes will be found. In chronic cases, stocking of the legs casts in the 
urine, more or less tenderness upon pressure of the loins, and general ill health, 
may be all that will be observed. 

What to Do. Give an active cathartic: 

1 Drachm calomel, 
4 Drachms powdered aloes, 
Make into a ball with linseed meal and molasses. 

Wrap the loins in woolen blankets and foment thoroughly with an infusion 
of a handful of digitalis leaves in a pail of boiling water, putting it on as warm 
as the hand will bear it; or wring a sheep skin out of hot water and apply the 
flesh side, changing as often as may be necessary. 

To assist the evacuation and ease the pain give injections of linseed tea, 
one quart, to which an ounce of laudanum is added. Get up a good sweat if 
possible. This will relieve the kidneys. Keep the bowels gently open with lax- 
atives and relieve the pains with anodynes, and as the animal improves, give 
bitter tonics, 3 ounces of Peruvian bark daily in three doses; or an ounce of 
gentain in two drachm doses three times a day. 

PROFUSE STALING OR DIABETES. 

This disease, called by various names, as diuresis, diabetes insipidus, poluria, 
etc., is simply an excessive secretion of urine, causing loss of flesh, weakness, 
and at length terminating in exhaustion and a general breaking down of the 
system. 

Causes. The most common cause is dosing with quack medicines, a favorite 
pastime of ignorant stablemen, especially for "the water." It is also produced 
by musty hay and grain, new oats, distillery slops, acid diuretic plants, or any 
cause irritating the stomach and at the same time stimulating the kidneys. 

How to Know It. There is excessive thirst, profuse and frequent staling, of 
pale colored urine, thin, and with little odor; loss of condition and spirits; the 
appetite fails; the skin is hard and dry; the hair harsh; the pulse will be weak, 
whether fast or slow; depraved appetite for licking noxious substances. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 55 

What to Do. Change the food at once, well seasoned hay and grain, with 
linseed tea given freely in the drink. The horse must not suffer from thirst, 
but inordinate drinldng should not be allowed. Iodine is one of the chief 
specifics in this disease. The following will be a good formula, to be given three 
times a day in water: 

20 Grains iodine, 

1 Drachm iodide of potassium, 
4 Drachms carbonate of soda. 

Mix, and give in water. 

Or. give daily the following: 

2 Drachms phosphate of iron, 

2 Drachms iodide of pottassium, 

4 Drachms Peruvian bark. 

Mix, and give once a day in water. 

If this does not soon show a disposition to check the disease, add 15 to 20 
grains of creosote daily. 

Another good formula, to be given once a day, or in bad cases twice daily, 
is the following: 

30 Grains iodine, 
2 Drachms sulphate of iron, 
y 2 Ounce powdered gentian. 

Give as a ball, made with molasses and linseed meal. If four or five doses 
do not show decided effects discontinue. Six or seven days should effect a cure. 
Or, give y 2 oz. of the tincture of cantharides every morning for ten or twelve 
days, and if not entirely well repeat it again — give clean food — the cause is rot- 
ten or musty grain, or too free use of turpentine — keep him open with mashes 
and green food. 

THICK AND ALBUMINOUS URINE. 

This disability in horses, characterized by a thick, ropy, albuminous dis- 
charge of urine, is quite common in its milder forms, being an attendant on ex- 
tensive inflammation of important organs, on rheumatism, fevers, and some con- 
ditions of blood poisoning. It is especially attendant on inflammation of the 
kidneys, both acute and chronic, attended with degeneration and shedding of 
the epithelium (the layers of cells) lining the kidney tubes. 

How to Know It. There are two special positions assumed by horses suf- 



66 TH E FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

faring from severe secretions of albuminous urine. One is the stretched out 
position. In the other the back will be reached. In its mild stages the urine 
is thick ropy, mucilaginous; when it first begins to flow, of a reddish-brown 
color, but changing to a more natural condition, ending with a whitish, milky 
fluid; sometimes the reverse; commencing white. When the disease is farther 
advanced the urine is thicker, more deeply tinged, and sometimes offensive to 
the se ns e f smell. It may degenerate into a number of forms, and finally ter- 
minate in Bright 's disease of the kidneys. 

warnT^TfV ' • ^ ^ anlmal ^^ £t may be e °^table; dothe 
warmly. If there is inflammation of the kidneys, foment with a sheep skin 

wrung out of hot water; or better, with an infusion of a handful of digitalis 
(Foxglove) ma pail of scalding water, and use other measures recommended in 
this article. If it be thought necessary to liquify the urine, not always beneficial, 
prepare the recipe following and exercise great care in the attendant treatment 
as there prescribed. 

1 Ounce powdered assafoetida, 

2 Ounces powdered juniper berries, 
8 Ounces powdered poplar bark. 

Mix, divide into eight parts, and give one night and morning in the food 
# The real animus should be to remove the cause, which as we have stated is 
various. Attend to the general health of the animal, keep the bowels open by 
a tree use of bran mashes and other food of an opening nature. Give laxative 
it necessary-say, 5 ounces salts, and Peruvian bark, 1 to 2 ounces, daily at two 
or three doses. 

SUPPRESSION OF URINE. 

Causes. Retention or suppression of urine is due to so many causes, es- 
pecially m old horses, as paralysis of the bladder, meningitis, lockjaw, severe 
colic or other acute diseases, or from irritating drugs given by ignorant stable- 
men, that the operator must be informed as to the nature of the case. 

What to Do. If it be caused by paralysis the urine must be drawn off sev- 
eral times a day with a catheter. The following will be indicated, to be given 
internally : & 

y 2 Drachm extract nux vomica, 
1 Pint water. 

Give as a drench twice a day. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 57 

Another remedy, if one has a hypodermic syringe, would be: 

4 Drops sulphuric acid, 
2 Grains strychnine, 
y 2 Ounce alcohol. 

Throw one-half of one grain twice daily under the skin. 
If the difficulty is due to general weakness of the bladder, give the follow- 
ing stimulant: 

20 Grains powdered cantharides, 
1 Drachm powdered digitalis. 

Make into a ball with soap. 

If there is an accumulation of hard faeces in the rectum it must be removed 
by full injections of strong soap suds, and if necessary removal of the partially 
softened dung with the oiled hand. 

If there is inflammation of the neck of the bladder, as shown by heat, swell- 
ing, tenderness, give injections of one drachm extract of belladonna in a quart 
of warm water, thrown repeatedly into the rectum of horses and into the vagina 
of mares. To relieve pain give from one-half to two drachms of opium as 
may be needed. 



CHAPTER VII 



Diseases of the Teeth and Mouth. 



APTHA. 

A disease incident to sucking animals and young horses, generally oceur- 
ing in the spring and fall. 

^ How to Know It. Red patches will appear on tongue, cheeks, and lips, 
which assume a whitish color, caused by a fungus growth (aedium albicans). 
The lips swell; the tongue hangs out of the mouth; vesicles form containing a 
clear, gelatinous fluid. At length these burst; crusts form and recovery ensues. 
What to Do. Give the animal soft food as recommended for other mouth 
diseases. Wash the mouth with the lotion prescribed for scald mouth, or pre- 
pare equal parts of honey and powdered bayberry bark into a paste, with which 
anoint the affected parts every night. To purify the blood and promote the gen- 
eral health give the following: 

1 Ounce flowers of sulphur, 

1 Ounce powdered sassafras bark, 

2 Ounces powdered golden seal. 

Mix, divide into four portions and give one every night in scalded shorts 
allowing it to get cold. Or give it in cold gruel as a drink. This prescription 
will be found valuable in any case and for all farm stock when the blood is thick 
and inclined to humors. Give fully grown swine half the dose prescribed, and 
full grown sheep one-third the dose; that is, divide into eight doses for swine 
and twelve for sheep. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE PAROTID GLAND. 

Causes. This gland becomes hot, tender and swollen in almost every case 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 59 

of cold. It is liable to inflammation also from mechanical injury, and from ob- 
struction of its duct. 

How to Know It. When the gland has become swollen, it is easily discern- 
ible by sight or feeling. There is a hard and painful lump beneath the ear, 
with a softer feeling about its edges. The horse carries his head stiffly, chews 
slowly and with difficulty, and has some general fever. 

What to Do. As this state of the gland is almost always preceded by cold, 
and is accompanied by it, the treatment must first be directed to the removal of 
the exciting cause. Place the animal in comfortable surroundings, attend to the 
state of his bowels, giving 3 ounces glaubers or epsom salts, in case of constipa- 
tion, and a few warm mashes. Meanwhile, cover the affected gland with a good 
poultice until the inflammation is subdued. 

If inflammation results from mechanical obstruction, that obstruction must 
of course be removed before any permanent relief can be obtained; and this 
may require the removal of a calculus or stone from the parotid duct, which can 
be safely done only by an experienced surgeon. 

If attention is not directed to the swelling until matter is forming, allow 
it to approach the surface and come to a head before attempting to open, to 
avoid cutting any of the ducts, which might result in a fistula. If the tumor 
becomes hard, use iodine, almost to the extent of blistering. 

Any wound inflicted mechanically, as a cut into the gland, or a prick with 
a stable fork, must be treated externally according to its nature — the main 
point being to close it so effectually that the salivary fluid which it is the office 
of this gland to secrete cannot escape through the wound. 

SORE MOUTH OR TONGUE. 

Canker. — Symptoms. The mouth runs water, the horse coods or throws 
out of his mouth. The cause of this is often from frosty bits being put into the 
mouth, or by eating poisonous weeds. 

Cure. Take of borax, 3 drs. ; sugar of lead, 2 drs.; alum, y 2 oz. ; vinegar, 
1 pt. ; sage tea, 1 pt. ; shake well together, and wash the mouth out every morn- 
ing — give no hay for days. 

SCALD MOUTH. 

Causes. The ignorant use of acid drenches or corrossive drugs by careless 
or ignorant stable men. Medicines of unusual strength are sent with directions 
for diluting. If lables were carefully read, and directions implicitly followed, 



60 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

there would be less of this distressing malady, often ending in chronic disease 
of the stomach. 

How to Know It. The mouth is red, often raw; the lips are in constant 
motion, moving up and down; the saliva flows continually, showing the pain the 
animal endures. 

What to Do. Give well-made cold gruel, either of corn or oatmeal, and soft 
food if the horse can take it. Boiled carrots are excellent if the animal will 
eat them. 



CHAPTER VIII 



Diseases of the Heart, Blood, Etc. 



THUMPS. 

Palpitation of the heart, or thumps, as it is usually called, may occur from 
fright, in highly fed, irregularly worked animals, but is not as a rule connected 
with structural disease of the heart. 

Causes. Indigestion, some blood diseases, sudden excitement or fright in 
animals predisposed to nervousness. 

How to Know It. The action of the heart will be violent and convulsive; 
the beatings can be seen, felt and heard. The disorder comes on abruptly, gen- 
erally from excitement, has perfect intermissions with abrupt jarring thumps, 
and a jerking motion of the abdomen, and unaccompanied by redness of the 
mucous membranes; excited eyes, rapid breathing and a more or less sudden 
diminution of the palpitation. If signs of temporary excitement are not pres- 
ent; if the attack comes on slowly, is constant with aggravated intervals; if 
there is a heavy, prolonged, unequal beating, with red mucous membranes and 
swelling of the limbs, it may be inferred that the difficulty is connected with 
structural heart disease. 

What to Do. Avoid sudden excitement and over-exertion, but give regular 
but gentle exercise, stimulants and tonics. The following would be indicated 
as a stimulant, either whisky, or y 2 ounce liquid ammonia. Give 15 to 20 grains 
digitalis twice a day in the feed, for some weeks. 

If there is a full, strong pulse, and increased size of the heart, add to the 
digitalis 20 drops tincture of aconite, twice a day, or drop it into the water 
given twice a day. If there is general debility, the following will be indicated, 
to be given twice a day for several weeks: 

V 2 Drachm powdered nux vomica, 
1 Drachm extract of belladonna. 

Form into a ball with liquorice powder and molasses, and give. 



62 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

ENLARGEMENT OF THE HEART. 

Hypertrophy or enlargement of the heart is an increase of its muscular sub- 
stance and may be confined to one side or ventricle. Sometimes disease of the 
valves leads to enlargement much beyond its usual size. Enlargement of the 
heart also accompanies broken wind and other impediments to the free action 
of the lungs and breathing tubes. 

Causes. Long continued hard work; chronic indigestion, or some obstruc- 
tion to the circulation. 

How to Know It. There is palpitation, the. beats forcible and prolonged, 
the intervals of silence shortened. The first sound is low, muffled and prolonged, 
the second loud, and if only one ventricle is affected sometimes repeated. The 
pulse is as a rule regular, except under excitement of the animal, and, the ex- 
citement removed, soon returns to its usual state. The breathing is often hur- 
ried, and exertion increases the general symptoms in a marked manner. 

^ What to Do. Simple hypertrophy is seldom the cause of imminent danger. 
It is not unusual for horses with an enlargement of the heart to do steady, slow, 
moderate work, and live to be old. If there is dilation, weakness, blowing mur- 
murs with the first heart sound, spells of oppressed and difficult breathing, 
if the nasal and other visible mucous membranes are livid, there is danger of 
sudden death at any time. 

Keep the animal quiet, and at only slow, moderate labor; never over-load 
or put him to speed. Let the diet be of good, easily digested food; never allow 
the stomach to become overloaded. Give twice a day from 20 to 30 drops tinc- 
ture of aconite root as the case may need. If there is broken wind or other 
serious impediment to breathing, 3 to 4 grains of arsenic in the food has been 
found useful. If the case, however, be of long standing, or due to permanent 
obstruction, treatment must be simply alleviation. The case will eventually end 
in death. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE ABSORBENTS. 

Inflammation of the absorbents (Lymphangitis), has a variety of names, 
among which are Weed, and Shot of Grease, and may be a constitutional case,' 
or a mere local affection. In its constitutional form, it is found in heavy lym- 
phatic, fleshy-legged horses that, worked hard on heavy feed, are left in "the 
stable for days together. 

In its local form it is the result of wounds, bruises, injuries of various kinds, 
putrefying matter in and around the stable. It may occur from the specific 
poison of glanders, farcy, etc., and in the constitutional form may go on to ab- 
scess, sloughing and unhealthy sores, and death; or the horse may be left with 



THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 63 

the limb permanently thickened. In the local form there may be abscess, dif- 
fuse suppuration, induration of the glands, and even the vessels arid surround- 
ing parts. 

How to Know Constitutional Lymphangitis. There will be more or less 
shivering; in bad cases severe, quickened breathing; rapid, hard pulse; a general 
feverish state, and fever in one or both hind limbs. Enlargements may be 
detected high up in the groin, by the side of the sheath in the horse or udder in 
the mare, and great tenderness of the inguinal glands. The shivering fits will 
be succeeded by fever with burning sweats, swelled limbs, exudation and filling, 
sometimes to the body. 

What to Do. In mild cases, give moderate and daily exercise, pay atten- 
tion to diet, ventilation and cleanliness. If the case is more severe, give from 4 
to 6 drachms of aloes, apply warm fomentations continually to the limb, with 
walking exercise. The bowels having been thoroughly moved, give diuretics, 
an ounce of saltpeter in a gallon of water two or three times daily; or 10 grains 
of iodine. In very bad cases, when the subject is plethoric, bleed from the jugu- 
lar vein until the pulse softens, and proceed as before directed. For " thick 
leg," a chronic thickening of the limb, bandage from the foot up when the 
animal is in the stable, and apply tincture of iodine for four days, giving daily 
exercise ; or rub the limb with iodine ointment, and give the following once a day : 

V 2 Ounce powdered resin, 

V 2 Ounce niter, 

10 Drops oil of juniper. 

Mix into a ball with liquorice powder and molasses. 

If abscesses form, open them with a sharp knife, and dress with the fol- 
lowing : 

1 Ounce carbolic acid, 
1 Pint distilled water. 

In the local form there will be slight swelling of the cords, and redness 
in white skins. The lymphatic glands will be enlarged along their course, and 
become nodular or knotty. There will be pasty swellings of the parts, and even 
erysipelas. 

What to Do. Give rest, and a purge of aloes as recommended for the 
chronic state. Wash the diseased limb with the following: 

y 2 Drachm opium, 
lDrachm acetate of lead, 
1 Drachm carbolic acid, 
1 Quart rainwater. 



64 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

In case of excessive inflammation, poultice with flax seed or bread and milk 
to hasten suppuration. Open the suppurating parts to let out the matter, and 
dress with the carbolic solution as in the other form of the disease. 

SCARLATINA. 

Causes. This disease, called also scarlet fever, is not considered conta- 
gious in its milder forms, but in a malignant stage it would doubtless be as 
much so as the same disease in the human family. It is sometimes regarded 
as but a mild form of acute anasarca, and not entitled to be treated as a distinct 
affection; but we cannot dwell upon the niceities of classification, and where the 
necessities of the case (the knowledge requisite for treating certain manifesta- 
tions of disease successfully) are met, it is not important that we should. 

It generally follows influenza and other affections of the respiratory organs; 
and may be justly said to have its origin in colds and in some cases, perhaps, 
in the breathing of vitiated air in close, dark, ill-ventilated stables. 

How to Know It. The patient exhibits great thirst, with a failing appetite, 
and evident weakness. He is more or less unsteady in his gait; his breath is 
hot and stinking, and all the limbs are swollen. But the most unmistakable 
signs are elevated blotches on the skin about the neck and fore limbs, and 
scarlet spots, of variable size, on the membranes within the nostrils. 

What to Do. First, remove the animal from its fellows, for fear the dis- 
ease may develop into that putrid form which is found so contagious among 
children, and prove infectious. Give an occasional watery bran mash to keep 
the bowels open and allay fever. If this is not found sufficiently laxative, give a 
dose of Epsom salts, or linseed oil. Guard against too active and violent purga- 
tives. Mix three ounces liquor acetate of ammonia with three ounces of cold 
water, and drench with this once or twice a day, according to the violence of the 
fever, for three days. Meanwhile, sponge the elevated spots on the skin with a 
tincture of muriate of iron mixed with warm water; or, if found more conven- 
ient, put two ounces of hartshorn (aqua ammonia) into a quart of soft water, 
and use that. 

There is a tendency in this disease to dropsical effusions, and the limbs be- 
come very much swollen even during the treatment prescribed; and by the third 
or fourth day a whitish mucus will begin to run slightly from both nostrils; 
the scarlet spots will have spread and become redder. Give now, night and 
morning, one-half fluid ounce sweet spirits of niter, for four or five days. Dis- 
continue to sponge the elevated spots, but rub the limbs closely and often; and 
blanket the animal if necessary to keep him comfortable. The niter acts as a 
diuretic, and the dose and length of time it is given must be regulated by the 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 65 

effect upon the kidneys. If urine is voided too often and too freely, lessen the 
dose, or discontinue it altogether. Follow this up with a daily dose of twenty 
grains of sulphate of quinine for from three to six days, and continue to rub 
the limbs. When there are signs of returning appetite, give him, in addition to 
the bran mashes, a few oats and a daily small allowance of hay; and place him 
in a small inclosure, where he may have such moderate exercise as he may be 
promoted to take. Do not fail to supply him from the first with all the pure 
water that he will drink. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Diseases of the Brain 



MAD STAGGERS. 



Causes. This disease is sometimes known by the more learned term of 
phrenitis (the delirium of fever; frenzy, raving); but it will be by practical 
men most readily recognized when treated of under its old and familiar name. 

It is an inflamed condition of the brain and its covering, with effusion of 
the small cavaties and the spaces between the membrane and the brain itself. 
Sometimes both the brain and its membranous covering are involved in this 
inflammation, sometimes but one, and that most frequently the membrane. 

It may be caused by concussion of the brain by reason of blows upon the 
head. The brutality of a driver, which finds its gratification is using the butt 
of his whip upon the head of the horse, may result in a fractured skull, to be 
followed by slight pressure upon the brain, a speedy fever and the consequent 
determination of too much blood to the head, which, combined with the burn- 
ing inflammation, brings on this madness, perhaps death. 

Among the causes other than violence we may name the following: sudden 
and great changes of temperature in the body brought about by instantaneous 
exposure to extreme heat or cold; over-exertion in plethoric or full-blooded ani- 
mals, especially in hot weather; congestion from close collar, short-drawn cheek, 
or tight throat latch, overloading stomach and bowels. 

How to Know It. The symptoms often differ but little from apoplexy, 
comparing the first stage of each, but they may generally be distinguished by 
this; that in mad staggers the horse is not so cotamose, or sleepy and insensi- 
ble, as in apoplexy. Light affects his eyes a little, and he is sensitive to the 
whip, whereas the horse laboring a genuine attack of apoplexy seems blind, deaf, 
and without bodily feeling. In some instances in mad staggers, it is true, the 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 67 

animal may sleep till be drops, but on recovering himself he will manifest the 
sensitiveness above described. 

Occasionally, the brain alone is involved, in which ease he is stupid, dull and 
awkward of motion, the nerves of sensation and of motion being both affected; 
and during this stage he will sometimes bore his head against some object; at 
others he will rest his haunches upon his trough or anything else convenient. 

When the membranes covering the brain are inflamed, which is most general- 
ly the case, there is restlessness rather than stupor; the horse trembles; his gen- 
eral temperature is elevated, while there is great heat about the upper part of 
the head ; his pulse is excited, his breathing quick ; his eyes glare ; his movements 
are irregular; he paws, stamps, champs his teeth; an interval of stupor may 
occur, but even when just aroused from this condition of repose he is extremely 
excitable and trembles violently. 

When the worst symptoms are rapidly developing themselves he begins 
suddenly to heave at the flanks; his eyes brighten and his nostrils expand; the 
pupil of the eye dilates to the utmost, and stares wildly and vacantly; his 
breathing becomes shorter and quicker; sometimes he will neigh uneasily; his 
ears are erect and bent forward; the membrane of the eye reddens and con- 
trasts strangely with the clearness of the cornea or ball; he becomes more and 
more excitable, and trembles at every sound, and delirium sets in. He now 
dashes himself about with fury; his motions are sudden and violent, but with- 
out any disposition to mischief, as he is evidently unconscious. He sometimes 
becomes ferocious, and dangerous to all who may come within reach; he then 
bites and strikes at those who come near him; he plunges, rears upon his hind 
legs, whirls round and round and falls with dreadful force. He will now lie 
awhile exhausted, and his pulse and breathing are slower. 

At length the mighty anguish returns, and he becomes again a terrifying 
and dangerous animal. The second paroxysm is worse than the first; he darts 
furiously at everything within reach; sometimes bites and tears himself; and 
this continues until his former stupor returns, or until he has worn himself out 
and death puts an end to his sufferings. Each succeeding attack increases in 
intensity, and brings on increased weakness, so that his periods of stupor be- 
come longer and longer till at last he dies. 

In those cases where at first only the brain is involved the premonitory 
symptoms may continue a day or two, when the membranous coverings may be- 
come suddenly inflamed and delirium speedily set in. Whenever the membranes 
are attacked the disease reaches its crisis in a few hours — there must be speedy 
relief or death will quickly follow. 

This disease may sometimes be mistaken for colic or for hydrophobia; but 



68 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

to distinguish from the former, notice that in the colic the horse rises and falls 
with less violence and that though he sometimes plunges, he more frequently 
rolls about. He looks frequently at his flanks with an expression of pain, and 
he is all the time conscious. To distinguish it from hydrophobia, observe that 
while there is violence in the latter, and generally an inclination to do mis- 
chief, there is always consciousness. 

What to Do. If the earlier symptoms — stupidity, sleepiness, awkward, 
staggery motions — are observed, apply ice cold water to the head, both by 
pouring and by means of a sponge or rags secured between the ears and along 
the forehead; give an active purge, as the bowels will almost invariably be 
found to be torpid and constipated. Use at first: 

7 Drachms aloes, 

4 Drachms castile soap, 

6 Drops oil of caraways. 

Mix with mucilage or syrup to form a ball, and give this quantity for one 
dose. If this is found, after four hours, not to have produced the desired 
effect, give one scruple of croton meal in water, if he will drink it; if not, he 
must be drenched. This is a powerful medicine; but it is of the utmost con- 
sequence that his bowels be free, and no effort must be spared to effect that 
object. If the croton cannot be had, resort to the clyster (of warm soap suds), 
or to back-raking. 

The bowels having been opened, give two or three times a day the follow- 
ing compound, the effect of which is to decrease the action of the heart and pre- 
vent the tendency of the blood to the head, as also to promote the activity of 
the urinary organs: 

1 Drachm digitalis, 

1% Drachms tartar emetic, 

3 Drachms niter. 

Keep him in a cool, airy stall, and feed with the greatest moderation giving 
such green and moist food as has a laxative tendency, and such quantity only, 
for a few days, as will prevent gnawing hunger. 

BLIND STAGGERS. 

Causes. This disorder, by some called megrims, by others vertigo, and by 
still others dizziness, is not well understood and there is a difficulty in deter- 
mining whether some of the forms it assumes ought not to be set down as sep- 
arate diseases. The cause, however, that will produce certain manifestations 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 69 

in one horse will produce different ones in another, so that it may be readily 
inferred that the varying symptoms do not mark different types of disease but 
mere difference of degrees; and that the same general causes act throughout. 

The immediate cause is clearly pressure on the brain, resulting from un- 
usual flow of blood to the head. This is doubtless is some instances, the result 
of a constitutional tendency — a predisposition to epilepsy — that is brought to 
manifest itself on occasion of excitement, over-exertion or general ill condition 
of the digestive apparatus. In others it is most probably a watery suffusion of 
the brain — the blood being subjected to some sort of decomposition in its passage 
through the head and leaving the serum or watery portion, to collect there. 

The immediate cause, or pressure upon the brain, is doubtless sometimes to 
be found in tumors, arising from blows on the head as well as in congestion, or 
too great fullness. 

It is ordinarily regarded as an incurable disease. If there is an organic 
predisposition to epilepsy, entire recovery is of course out of the question; and 
when a horse has been once attacked, though previously free from any such ten- 
dency, he is subject to a return of the complaint because the vessels have been 
weakened by violence, and offer less resistance to the rapid flow of blood in 
the arteries, or the abnormal gathering of it in the small veins of the brain. 

How to Know It. In its final manifestations it is unmistakable; but the 
careful and intelligent owner ought to be able to detect some symptoms of an 
approaching attack in time to guard against its most hurtful effects. That 
condition of body which superinduces congestion by internal compression and 
derangement is not difficult to detect, and attention to this may be the means of 
warding off a violent attack. This is indicated by an offensive breath; some- 
what impeded respiration, or expelling of the air from the lungs; chewing food 
slowly, perhaps letting some of it fall from his mouth only partly masticated; 
a foul tongue; a dry and clammy mouth; disposition to plunge his head into the 
water above the nostrils when drinking; faeces (or dung) hard and difficult to 
pass; and urine ejected in small quantities. 

The attack very seldom comes on while the horse is ridden, but while he is 
being rapidly driven, or after he has been subjected to a long, hot pull under a 
tight collar, a closely-drawn check rein, or a throat-latch buckled almost chok- 
ingly. 

Occasionally the attack will be sudden and without the slightest warning; 
he will fall almost as though shot, or make an effort to run around and then 
fall; usually he will first exhibit some signs of uneasiness, as shaking the head 
and twitching the ears, and the eyes, if observed, will be found to have a wild, 
staring and bloodshot appearance. Sometimes he will stop and stare about — 



™ THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

look wild and irresolute— and then go on as though nothing were the matter. 
Again, he will rear up or stagger like a drunken man, and then fall. He often 
becomes stubborn, and will go only his own way — evidently unconscious — and 
then comes convulsions, followed by insensibility. 

What to Do. When it is discovered in time that he is suffering with dis- 
ordered digestion and is constipated, relieve him from work, if possible, and 
lessen the quantity of dry food. 

Turn him out at night, at any rate, even if found imperatively necessary to 
have his services during the day. If he can have some continued rest, and the 
run of a good pasture, or else be well fed with food suitable to his condition, 
and well watered, while occupying a roomy, dry and well-ventilated stable, his 
chances for restoration to health and escaping violent attacks altogether, will be 
greatly increased. Of course he should have sufficient exercise, but in modera- 
tion. If the animal is young, and of full habit, yet fallen into this disor- 
dered state, restrict his diet, increase his exercise by degrees, or turn him out 
to pasture until his normal condition of stomach and bowels has returned. 

In the beginning of this treatment as to diet — give him the following pur- 
gative : 

7 Drachms aloes, 

4 Drachms castile soap, 

6 Drops oil of caraway. 

Mix with mucilage or syrup sufficient to form a ball. This amount con- 
stitutes a dose. It may be repeated after twelve or fifteen hours if the first 
does not produce proper action. 

But if these premonitory symptoms pass unobserved, or if it is a case of 
sudden attack owing to violent exercise, great heat, or development of epileptic 
tendencies, stop him, if driving, upon his showing any of the indications des- 
cribed, and go to him; examine collar, check-rein, throat-latch, and see that all 
is right; pat and soothe him, and allow him to stand for a few moments in 
quiet. Where it is found that the collar has been pressing the neck veins see 
that it is altered without more ado — either by cutting or by pressing in against 
the breast on the lower part of the collar a cloth of sufficient size to prevent its 
tightening upon the sides of the neck. If he rcovers sufficiently to be driven, 
allow him to move at a very moderate pace; if not, remove him from the ve- 
hicle and lead him home. When there he must have rest and quiet, and care 
must be taken, as previously directed, to bring him, by food and laxatives, into 
a good state as to stomach and bowels. 

ABSCESS WITHIN THE BRAIN. 

This not unusual and terrible affection is produced almost invariably by 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 71 

external injury. From being struck or striking against some hard substance, as 
in running away, striking the head in the stable, or other similar cause. It is 
possible the owner may know nothing about it. A wound, perhaps a trivial 
looking one, is found on the head, from which perhaps only a little watery fluid 
issues. Soon the horse becomes dull and from day to day gets worse, refuses 
his food, and at last falls, and commences knocking his head against the floor 
or on the ground; thus he continues until at length death comes to his relief. 
There is nothing to be done once an abscess forms within the brain. 



CHAPTER X, 



Diseases of the Muscles and Tendons, 



BLOOD SPAVIN. 



This may be defined as a distention, or enlargement of the veins of the 
hock joint, and overlying the seat of bone and bog spavin; a local venous con- 
gestion, caused generally by swelling, impeding the flow of the blood, and often 
connected with bog or bone spavin. It is harmless ; in fact it may be considered 
as accompanying, or the result of other disease of the joint. 

What to Do. In the early stage cold water perseveringly applied, followed 
by cooling lotions, equal parts of alcohol and rain water, or one pint of brandy 
to one-half pint of water, applied as a lotion. If this does not relieve the 
difficulty, use a strong infusion of bayberry bark, using considerable friction 
by hand rubbing with either of the remedies named. 

BOG SPAVIN. 

Common bog spavin is technically an enlargement of the Bursa Mucosa, 
just as a distension of the sub-cutaneous (beneath the skin) veins in the region 
of the hock is called blood spavin. These cause an undue secretion of joint oil 
and a dropsical effusion into the joint, producing swelling having all the charac- 
ter of inflammation of the true hock joint. This inflammation of the upper or 
principal hock joint is true bog spavin. 

Causes. Overwork, sprains, injuries either from punctured wounds, frac- 
tures or bruises; also from the effects of rheumatism. All produce inflamma- 
tion of the structures of the joint. 

How to Know It. In its acute form there is a tense, puffy, fluctuating 
swelling of the front and inside portion of the hock at the upper or principal 
point just where usually there is a depression. There is also a swelling behind, 
where thorough-pin occurs, but it can be pressed forward, the anterior (front) 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 73 

swelling filling up; but there is no swelling below and behind the hock as in 
through-pin. 

What to Do. Absolute rest and the use of a high-heeled shoe. Continued 
pressure on the swollen parts, by means of a truss or compress, with cold watei 
applications, or brandy and salt. 

In case there is much inflammation reduce it by means of fomentations of 
water and if there is pain, let the fomentations be an infusion of hops. In the 
later stages use tincture of arnica diluted with water. 

CURB. 

This is a swelling in the middle of and just behind the lowest part of the 
hock joint. At first it is soft and doughey, or retaining for a time the shape 
of the pressure, producing an anlargement about two inches below the hock. 
Curby hocks are also sometimes congenital and hereditary. 

Causes. A blow, but more frequently a sprain of the tendon, or of the 
sheath through which the flexor tendon passes. The ligament of the hock when 
injured increases the gravity of the disease. 

How to Know It. There is heat, inflammation, tenderness, lameness, and 
a tendency to knuckle forward at the fetlock. 

What to Do. Absolute rest, a high-heeled shoe, and cold water bandages 
will generally remove the difficulty if applied in the early stages of the disease. 
If, from neglect, the lameness becomes decided, apply the following: 

1 Ounce powdered bloodroot, 
1 Ounce turpentine, 
4 Ounces acetic acid. 

lie. 

Apply night and morning for a week or ten days and afterward bathe daily 

with vinegar. 

TROROUGH-PIN. 

Causes. This is a sprain of the flexor tendon behind the hock, and which 
has a large sheath which extends both above and below the joint— a dropsical 
enlargement of the sheath of the tendon, so the fluid contained may be pressed 
from one side to the other. Hence its name. 

How to Know It. Pressure on one side will cause bulging on the other, 
and pressure on both sides will cause fluctuation along the tendon below and 
behind the hock. 

What to Do. Use the same treatment as for curb. Another plan is to 
apply with gentle rubbing, the following ointment every day until the skin 
is inflamed: 



74 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

1 Part biniodide of mercury, 
7 Parts neats foot oil. 

Rub together, either in a mortar or with a spatula on glass, until intimately 
incorporated, and use as directed, observing regularity and shunning violent 
handling. 

TETANUS, OR LOCKJAW. 

This terrible affection, which consists of persistent and often acutely pain- 
ful drawing together (cramps) of the voluntary muscles, causing extreme rigid- 
ity, drawing together the whole muscular system, and closing or locking the jaws. 

Causes. Often a wound in the leg or foot, seemingly of the most trivial 
character, as the prick of a nail. It is also produced by riding or driving, and 
leaving the animal shivering in the night air. 

How to Know It. In the earliest stages there will be stiffness and rigidity 
of the muscles near the injury, and the limb will be moved with difficulty. 
There will be excitement, the ears will be pointed forward, the head elevated, 
the legs stiff and stretched out; the horse will seem excited and yet obstinate to 
move; the tail will quiver and the skin and flesh will feel hard like a board. 
The lower jaw being taken in the hand and the head raised, if the jaw projects 
over the eye, you have a case of lockjaw. 

What to Do. Give the animal a loose or box stall and in the most quiet 
place possible, and where it will see no one except the attendant. Place slings 
beneath him so he can stand clear of them or rest in them at will. Remove all 
straw, litter or other sources of excitement, and avoid all noises or unusual 
movement. Keep the stable darkened and without other animals present. If 
the disease is produced by a wound, examine it, and if contracted or containing 
pus (matter) widen it, and cover with a bread and milk poultice containing 
laudanum or extract of belladonna. 

Give a powerful purgative, as the following: 

6 to 8 Drops croton oil, 

4 to 6 Drachms powdered aloes. 

Dissolve in a pint and a half of water and give as a drench. If it cannot 
be given by the mouth, administer it through the nostrils by means of a stomach 
pump and the horse catheter, or prepare the following, if the horse can swallow 
a ball: 

4 Drachms powdered aloes, 
4 Drachms extract of gentian, 
1 Scruple croton farina. 

Mix with linseed meal and molasses into a ball. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 75 

Follow this up with three doses daily of antispasmodics, as, one to two 
drachms belladonna, or one-half ounce chloral hydrate, or one-half to one ounce 
dose of tincture of lobelia in a pint of water. Give by the mouth if the animal 
can swallow; if not, as an injection. Keep the bowels open with one drachm 
podophyllin and two drachms extract of belladonna, smeared on the back of 
the tongue. 

If the animal can bear it, a thorough sweat with a blanket wrung out of 
hot water, and covered with dry blankets will do good. Feed with nourishing- 
gruels if the animal can swallow. 

CRAMPS. 

Some horses are quite subject to cramps of the muscles and tendons. It 
may be an irritability or spasm of a particular muscle or set of muscles, which 
refuse to act, becoming stiff and inflexible. They cramp and sometimes twitch 
excessively. This is again succeeded by another stage in which the muscles 
relax and are restored to their normal condition. 

Causes. Strains, bruises, or over-taxation of the powers. In many cases 
it is undoubtedly allied to rheumatism, a disorder attacking horses much oftener 
than is supposed; rheumatism very often being attributed to bots, founder and 
various other causes by the ignorant. Both diseases are quite painful, and leave 
the animal very sore, and rheumatism often for months. 

What to Do. Clothe the body warmly, find the seat of the difficulty by 
feeling of the parts until the sore place is touched. Wash the parts with salt 
and water, and rub dry. Then apply the following liniment: 

1 Part solution of ammonia, 
1 Part spirits of camphor, 
1 Part olive oil. 

Rub it in well, and hold a hot iron or brick to the parts to heat it thor- 
oughly. 

RHEUMATISM. 

This is a peculiar form of inflammation attacking the fibrous structures of 
the body, such as the joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles, and is accompanied 
by stiffness, exceeding tenderness and pain, shifting from place to place, often 
implicating the valves or other structures of the heart, and when so usually 
results in death. 

Causes. Exposure to cold, wet or drafts, especially when the system is 



76 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

overworked. There is usually a constitutional predisposition in the subjects, 
and in such it is easily brought on by diseases of the respiratory or digestive 
organs, especially in horses of a full, gross habit. 

How to Know It. In its acute form there is dullness, followed by extreme 
lameness in one or more of the limbs. There is tenderness and then swelling 
of the joint, tendon or muscles, at first soft, then hard. There may be fluctua- 
tions from excess of synovia (joint fluid). With the inflammation there is 
fever. The pulse is full and hard; the mouth is dry and clammy; there is 
hurried breathing, scanty urine and costiveness. 

In the chronic form the symptoms are the same as in the acute, but not 
so pronounced, and in this form it is unattended with fever. It may appear 
only upon undue exposure, or in damp, lowery weather, and disappear again 
upon recurrence of fine weather. Chronic rheumatism is also less inclined to 
shift from place to place. 

What to Do. For rheumatism in its early acute stage relieve the bowels 
by laxative medicines, say four ounces of aloes. Put the animal in slings, as 
for tetanus, and clothe him from the hoofs to the ears in flannel. If practicable 
the first thing is to fill the box in which the horse is kept with steam, keeping 
it up for an hour. If the pain is extreme lessen it with ounce doses of laud- 
anum. 

Give the following three or four times a day as a drench in a pint of gruel: 

1 Ounce bicarbonate of soda, 
1 Ounce Salicylic acid. 

If this cannot be obtained, give the following, at a dose, night and 
morning : 

y 2 Ounce powdered saltpeter, 

1 Drachm powdered colchicum, 

1 Ounce oil of turpentine, 
Mix in half a pint of linseed oil. 

For rheumatism in its chronic form the following will be found to be val- 
uable, used internally: 

1 Ounce powdered carbonate of potash, 

1 Ounce powdered saltpeter, 

2 Drachms iodide of potash. 

Give in one and a half pints of water. 

As a liniment for the joints and other affected parts, to be afterwards 
wrapped in flannel, the following is excellent: 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 77 

Vz Ounce laudanum, 

y 2 Ounce camphorated oil, 

1 Ounce tincture cantharides. 

Apply to the joints with a soft brush, without friction. 

GROGGY KNEES. 

The cause of this is sprains or over-driving, or by having corks, and no 
toes on the shoes. This can be cured in the first stages, but if of long stand- 
ing there is no cure. 

What to Do. Have shoes made thick at the toe and thin at the heels; take 
linseed oil, y 2 pint; alcohol. 4 oz.; camphor spirits, 1 oz.; laudanum, 2 ounces; 
shake and apply to the back part of the legs; rub it in well every four days; 
still increase the thickness of the shoes at the toe. 

SWEENY OF THE SHOULDER. 

The common effect of all lameness and disease of the limb is a wasting of 
the muscles connected therewith. Therefore in all sprains entailing inflamma- 
tion and continued disease of a limb, and in all injuries entailing chronic, long- 
continued manifestations, there will be wasting or atrophy of the muscles of 
the cords of the limb. This is popularly called swinny or sweeny. It is the 
result of disease and not the disease itself. The cause of this wasting must 
therefore be looked after in order to obviate the difficulty. 

There is, however, from sprain of the muscles outside the shoulder blade, a 
tendency to waste of the muscles, to such a degree sometimes, that they are so 
shrunken as to cause the skin to be drawn tight to the shoulder blade. 

Causes. Sweeny is usually acquired by young horses, when first put to 
work, from over-strain; or, it may occur in horses of any age, from hard pull- 
ing on uneven ground, by stepping into holes, etc., thus causing injury to the 
muscles of the shoulder, and particularly those supporting the joints. 

How to Know It. Sometimes the horse may be able to walk, or even trot 
without serious difficulty. If one stand directly in front of him there will be 
seen that the affected shoulder is held in an unnatural position, seeming to be 
rolled outward farther than is natural. There will be a peculiar motion in the 
gait, and heat, tenderness and swelling on the outside of the joint. 

What to Do. By pressure on the parts discover the seat of the inflamma- 
tion by the flinching of the animal. This found, reduce it by continued appli- 
cation of cold water to the part, if in the earlier stages. This may be done by 



78 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

folding a long blanket and hanging over the shoulder so as to cover the affected 
part. Over this keep a cloth continually wet with cold water, until the acute 
symptoms have subsided. 

After these have subsided, exercise must be given every, day either by 
driving on a smooth road or using at any light work on smooth ground. Every 
effort should be made to increase the circulation over the fallen muscles by 
active rubbing. If the case do not yield to treatment, and there is decided 
wasting, the muscle being hard, use the following: 

1 Pint ammonia, 
1 Quart oil. 

This should be rubbed in with considerable friction, until nearly the ex- 
citement of a blister is produced. This with subsequent friction and an occa- 
sional use of the blister, will effect a cure; but it may take months of perse- 
verance to bring the shoulder back to its perfect shape. Light exercise should 
be given every day. 

SWEENY OF THE HIP. 

The wasting of the muscles of the hip are due to analagous causes with 
those of the shoulder. It is, however, far more rare, since the power of the 
horse being in the hind-quarters, the enormous muscles of those parts act as 
cushions to protect the parts from injury. As a rule, the cause of the wasting 
of the muscles of the hip must be looked for lower down, unless the injury is 
known to proceed from a fall on the side. 

A careful examination of all the muscles will enable the owner pretty gen- 
erally to fix the seat of the disease, from the heat and tenderness of the parts. 
This discovered, use the means prescribed for shoulder sweeny. In old and 
difficult cases, either of the shoulder or hip, it may be necessary to resort to 
active blistering and subsequent stimulation by means of the galvanic battery. 
In old and confirmed sweeny that has come with a horse bought, or from neglect 
at the proper time, a cure will probably not be effected; but a partial restora- 
tion of the parts may be made. 

The following is recommended: alcohol and spirits of turpentine, of each, 
8 ozs. ; camphor gum, pulverized cantharides, and capsicum, of each, 1 oz., oil 
of spike, 3 ozs. Mix. 

Sweeny has been placed among the diseases of the bones because it some- 
times proceeds from injury to the bones and joints. The difficulty itself, how- 
ever, is confined to the muscles. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 79 

BONE SPAVIN. 

The definition of bone spavin may be given as an inflammation, ulceration 
and bony deposit of the small flat bones in the lower and inner part of the hock 
joint; or of both the outer and inner ones, or from inflammation of the cuni- 
form and metatarsal bones, terminating in anchylosis (a bony union of the parts) 
rendering the joint stiff. 

Causes. Injury to the joint by concussion, sprains of the ligaments, the 
use of shoes with high heels or calks. 

Bone spavin is really one of the most formidable diseases with which the 
horseman has to deal, and the attack is sometimes so slow and blind that jock- 
eys are often enabled to put off a spavined horse on the unwary, the horse after- 
wards going dead lame. Nevertheless it will show itself if the horse is allowed 
to cool, or is ridden into the water and allowed to stand awhile. 

How to Know It. Sprains do not invariably cause lameness. There may be 
little or no local swelling as in occult spavin, as ulceration is called, in the center 
of the joint between the flat bones. The swelling, when it does exist, is in front 
and on the inside and on the lower part of the joint, and may best be seen by 
standing about midway of the body so as to get a side view of the front of the 
hock. When the swelling is in front of the hock it is most to be feared. The 
animal if turned from side to side in the stall will move stiff and on the toe. 
This same stiffness is also seen when the animal first starts off, but which may 
nearly or quite disappear when the animal becomes warm. The horse will some- 
times jerk up the limb as though he had string-halt. By turning him quickly in 
a small circle he will carry the limb more or less stiff, or rest on the toe only. 

What to Do. In any case, rest and a high heeled shoe should be allowed. 
In the acute stage or early in the development of the disease, place the horse 
in slings if possible. Foment thoroughly with hot water in which an ounce of 
laudanum is mixed to each two quarts of water. Give four drachms of aloes 
if the bowels are costive, and give half an ounce to an ounce of saltpeter in the 
water, morning and night, until a free flow of urine is had. When the inflam- 
mation has subsided, blister. The following will be effectual: 

2 Drachms oil of rosemary, 
% Ounce powdered cantharides, 
4 Ounces mercurial ointment. 

Grind thoroughly together and rub on, heating it in with a warm iron. The 
following are also good : Oil of spike, organum, cedar, British and spirits of tur- 
pentine, of each, 1 oz., Spanish flies, pulverized, y 2 oz. Apply once in six to nine 
days only— remove the lump of spavins splints, curbs, if of recent occurrence. 



CHAPTER XI 



Diseases of the Eye, 



NATURALLY WEAK EYES. 

Very many persons, otherwise well informed, when from any cause the 
eyes of horses become weak, inflamed, watery, or drop tears, suppose the cause 
to be from a natural weakness of the sight. So il blind teeth" are supposed 
to cause serious trouble, and even blindness in horses. Nothing could be fur- 
ther from the truth. It is exceedingly rare that horses have naturally weak 
eyes; it can almost always be traced to some local cause. Thus, watering of 
the eyes is caused by a stoppage of the lachrymal ducts leading from the eyes 
into the nostrils, the natural channels for carrying off the superabundant mois- 
ture of the eye. Inflammation of the eyes is not uncommon from a turning in 
of the eye-lashes. The remedy is to snip them off: with the scissors. 

"Blind teeth," or "wolf teeth," as the immature supernumarary tushes 
are called, do no injury whatever. If it is feared they may, it is easy to take 
them out with a pair of forceps. 

Colts are often subjected to inflammation of the eyes in a slight degree, 
during teething. Examine the teeth, lance the gums, and the eyes will recover. 
It is a case of sympathy. 

SORE EYE-LIDS. 

In the outset of more serious disease, soreness of the lids of the eyes is 
common. It is also produced by irritation of various kinds. In inflammation 
of the eyes, soreness of the lids is always present. If from other diseases, it is 
sympathetic, and will pass away with the disease itself. 

There is one form, however, that is characterized by a redness, swelling 
and itching, the edges becoming raw and exuding matter. This must have spe- 
cific treatment. 

What to Do. The horse should have a laxative dose if the bowels are nor 
in a natural state. The following will be indicated: 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY, GUIDE. 81 

1 Drachm flowers of sulphur, 

2 Drachms powdered mandrake, 

3 Drachms powdered aloes. 

Form into a ball with honey, and give as a dose. 

To reduce the inflammation, make a curd, by heating three eggs thoroughly 

and then stirring them with a quart of filtered rainwater until mixed; let it 
come to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add half an ounce of sulphate of zinc, 
and continue the boiling for a few minutes. Bind the curd over the eyes, by 
placing a portion between layers of thin muslin. 

During the whole treatment the horse must be tied up by two lines to the 
rear posts of the stall, so he cannot rub the eyes, and must be fed from a 
nose-bag. 

MOON-EYES. 

This is ophthalmy, recurring at periodic times, or at intervals of three 
weeks, a month or more, and not, as is often supposed, at the full moon. 

Causes. Hereditary predisposition; from malarial causes; herding in low, 
damp situations; rheumatic affections; irritation consequent on teething, and, 
in fact, where predisposition occurs, from any cause tending to lower the general 
state of the health. 

How to Know It. There will be a sunken look to the eye; the haw of the 
eye will protrude; the white of the eye may be of a pinkish cast; the eye will 
be watery; the pupil of the eye will be cloudy, at the edges, and dull and dis- 
colored at the center; there will be haziness, milkiness, or a whitish spot may 
appear, which will continue to overcast the eye. In the intervals between the 
attacks the transparent coat of the eye will have a hazy, bluish cast about its 
border, and the iris will lack its natural brightness; the upper lid or eyebrow 
will be wrinkled or furrowed. 

What to Do. Look first of all for carious or defective teeth, and if found 
extract them. There is a strong sympathy between any difficulty with the 
teeth and the eyes, though unsound or "wolf teeth" do not, as was once sup- 
posed, cause blindness. 

Place the animal in a darkened stable; give four drachms aloes, and apply 
the following lotion twice a day: 

20 Grains acetate of lead, 

20 Drops belladonna, 

1 Quart filtered rainwater. 

Alternate this twice a day with the following: 



82 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 



20 Grains sulphate of zinc, 
20 Drops tincture of Malabar bean, 
1 Quart filtered rainwater. 



| The physic having acted, give two or three times a day the following: 

1 Drachm sulphate of iron, 
% Ounce powdered Peruvian bark. 

Mix in one quart of warm water, or give in the feed if the horse will eat 
it. When another attack is expected double this dose. 

If, however, the attacks recur, and at lessened periods, the trouble may be 
expected to end in cataract and blindness. 

CATARACT. 

As a rule, cataract is the result of inflammation of the deep structures of 
the eyeball (internal ophthalmy or the periodic form). It also occurs occa- 
sionally from diabetes and other constitutional disabilities. 

How to Know It. Put the horse in a dark place. Take a lighted candle. 
Three images will be reflected, one from the surface of the eye, one from the 
front surface of the lens, and one from the rear surface of the lens. If in 
moving the light either of the posterior images are changed into a white haze, 
there is exudation into that part of the lens; in other words, a cataract is 
forming. 

What to Do. Unless the cataract is only just forming the horse will be 
eventually blind. Give aloes as recommended for moon-blindness, and also the 
prescription for lotions in that case. Follow this up with digitalis in doses 
of fifteen to twenty grains daily, alternated daily with six to eight drachms of 
niter in the water taken. Keep the animal in a dark room. 

Apply to the eye daily for several months the following: 

2 Grains phosphorus, 
1 Ounce almond oil. 

Mix and keep in a dark, cool place, in a bottle with a ground glass stopper. 

ENLARGEMENT OF THE HOCK. 

Nature has protected the hocks in most ample manner, to prevent injury 
under ordinary circumstances, and in fact, under exceptional circumstances, 
except those of an accidental or violent nature. From various bruises or 
strains, inflammation and lameness may ensue. Rest and fomentations will 
generally set this right if taken early. Sometimes, however, the enlargement 
will continue to grow in spite of all efforts to the contrary, and until the entire 
joint is involved. 

How to Know It. There are two forms of this disease. In one. the ten- 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 83 

dons and cartilages only are affected. This will generally yield to fomentations 
and a few applications of oleate of mercury. Another form is more serious. 
From a severe blow or other cause, there is a bruise of the bone, by which the 
investing membrane, called the periosteum, is either severely strained or torn 
loose, giving rise to inflammation and formation and deposit of bony matter 
on the surface of the bone, sometimes to such a degree that the parts are of 
excessive size, and the leg so lame that it is only with great difficulty that the 
animal can walk. The animal may, indeed, as in the case of bad spavin, be 
capable of doing farm work even with a stiff leg, but is totally unfit for driving 
on the road. 

What to Do. Precisely the same treatment must be pursued as in the case 
of bone spavin. 

RING-BONE. 

This is a deposit of bony matter above and below the coronet of the foot, 
just where the hair begins above the hoof, or of the bone of the hoof, as the 
coffin bone is called, or bony growth on the pasterns. 

Causes. It is caused by heavy work, hard pulling by draft horses, bruises 
of the bone by pounding of the feet on hard roads and pavements, generally 
beginning as inflammation of the membranes covering the bones, and at these 
points giving attachments to the ligaments at the side of the lower, or small 
pastern bone, or of the lower end of the upper or large pastern. Sometimes the 
bony formation proceeds to such an extent, involving and covering the whole 
surface, as to produce a kind of club foot. 

How to Know It. There may be lameness or not, except on hard ground, 
or upon binding the limb, in old-seated ring-bones. During the beginning of 
the evil, or while there is inflammation, and a tender, elastic swelling, and a more 
or less doughy state of the soft parts. In the course of the disease this matter 
becomes hard, from being turned into a soft or spongy bony formation. The 
swelling may be scarcely seen and confined to the sides of the pastern bone, or 
there may be great enlargement of the whole surface. If the trouble occurs in 
a fore-leg, the heel is put down first; if the ring-bone is in the hind-foot, and in 
the sides or back part of the pastern, the toe will be put down first. 

What to Do. For the fore-foot, put on a thin-heeled bar shoe. If in the 
hind-foot, a high-heeled shoe. That is, if the animal walks on the toe, use 
a high-heeled shoe; if on the heel, a thin-heeled shoe. If there is inflammation, 
known by heat and tenderness, use fomentations of hot water, perseveringly 
applied until it is reduced. Then blister severely with the following: 



84 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

10 Drops muriatic acid, 
20 Grains corrosive sublimate, 
20 Grains camphor, 
1 Ounce oil of turpentine. 

Mix, and apply until a sufficient blister is formed; then wash on 2 to prevent 
blemish and keep the blister running as long as possible, by covering with a 
rag well smeared with mutton tallow. Blister again if necessary. Or, use the 
means pursued in spavin, oleate of mercury, if the case is not difficult. 

If the ring-bone has been of long standing, the only relief will be the 
growth of bony matter over the joint. There will be more or less stiffness in 
the joint, but the horse may do slow work. Old horses are more difficult to cure 
than young ones, and in any case to avoid blemish, the case must be taken at 
the first indication. Then thorough fomentations, slight blistering, a proper 
shoe and rest will accomplish a cure. If there is simply a hardening of the in- 
teguments, oleate of mercury, in developed ring-bone or spavin, will reduce so 
much of it as is not already bony growth. 






CHAPTER XII 



Diseases of the Feet. 



CRACKED HOOFS. 

Causes. This is not an unusual occurrence in horses, and arises as a rule, 
from weak and brittle hoofs, produced by a dry state of the hoof, whatever may 
be the cause, whether fever or other causes of degeneration. The prolific causes 
are the dying- of the wall of the hoof, uneven bearing of the shoe, calking or 
other wounds or injuries of the coronet. This crack may extend down from the 
coronet according to the time it is allowed to run. 

What to Do. If taken early, a bar shoe, having an even bearing all round 
will generally relieve the difficulty. In connection with this, apply a plaster of 
pitch over the injury. 

If the crack becomes determined, it must be kept closed together by clinch- 
ing a thin nail on each side of the gap near the bottom and top, or else with 
thin wire. 

Also burn a groove just below the crack about an inch long nearly down to 
the quick. It is also well to slightly blister the coronet at the top of the crack. 
An efficient and stimulating liniment will be the oil of cantharides, made as fol- 
lows: 

1 Ounce powdered cantharides, 
8 Ounces olive oil. 

Mix in a strong bottle and set it in water kept near the boiling heat for 
three or four hours, and filter through close linen. Apply once a day with fric- 
tion until the part is tender. Let the horse have rest, or turn into a pasture 
until cured. 

HOOF ROT. 

This difficulty, sometimes called tender feet, arises from diseases of various 



86 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

kinds, spavin, ring-bone, chronic founder, navicular disease. There is a dry, fev- 
erish state of all the parts, and the hoof, and especially the sole, becomes decayed 
and sometimes perishes entirely. 

How to Know It. The bottom of the hoof is dry and chalk-like, so that it 
may easily be dug away with the point of a knife, or even easily scraped. The 
frog of the foot diminishes in size, and the ankle joints are apt to swell. The 
horse steps short and goes lame, if in one foot, or if in both, cripples in his 
gait. The affected foot will be pointed forward to enable the animal to rest 
on the sound foot, or if both are affected, first one and then the other will be 
placed forward. Sweeny or wasting of the muscles of the leg and shoulder re- 
sult simply from disease of the limb. 

What to Do. Remove the shoe, pare away all unsound portions of the 
hoof until all the pumiced parts are got rid of; also the frog and the sides of 
the hoof. Stimulate the bottom of the hoof by washing with: 

1 Ounce camphor gum, 

1 Ounce corrosive sublimate, 

1 Pint oil of turpentine. 

Once a day for three days, heating it in with a hot iron. Then omit for 
two or three days and commence again. During the treatment the animal must 
be kept in the stable and the feet should be kept dry. When hoof rot is due 
to other diseases, as ulceration of the navicular joints, it will do no good to 
follow the rule laid down until the cause of the difficulty is removed. 

CORNS. 

Corns are in very many cases the result of other diseases, tending to weak- 
ening of the sole rather than the result of a bruise to a sound hoof. Thus a 
horse with corns should be thoroughly examined for injury to the bones of the 
hoof, rotten hoof, etc. 

Causes. A bruise on the sole below the bars and the wall at the heel, pro- 
ducing a horny tumor or hardening, which presses on the quick. Sometimes 
there is inflammation, owing to the formation of matter which works out either 
at the top of the hoof or at the toe, from the formation of a fistula. Then it is 
Quittor. They may be found on either side of the heel, but usually on the inner 
or weaker side. 

How to Know It. There will be flinching when the walls of the hoof and 
sole are seized and strained with the pincers; thus revealing on which side and 
the locality of the corn. The toe will be pointed, when at rest, and with the 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 87 

heel slightly raised. In motion the gait will be short and stumbling. If it has 
proceeded to suppuration, the pain will be so extreme that the horse will fear 
to put the foot to the ground. If there is a horny tumor forming, it may be 
known upon paring the hoof by the evident appearance of a white, spongy, horny 
formation, as in sand crack. 

What to do. If the corns proceed from other disease, causing contraction 
and other disabilities of the hoof, remove these causes and the corns will dis- 
appear. If the corns proceed from a simple and recent bruise, remove the shoe 
and rasp down the bearing surface of the heels, so there may be no pressure. 
That it, the heels should be rasped lower than the other bearing surfaces. If 
there is inflammation, let the hoofs rest in cold water, or keep them moist with 
a wet cloth and the sole with a soft sponge, or the whole hoof may be enveloped 
in a large sponge cut to fit. The animal should wear a bar shoe, arranged to 
avoid pressure on the parts affected. When the foot ceases to be tender, keep 
the hoof and sole smeared with the following ointment, to render it soft and pro- 
mote healthy growth : 

l / 2 Ounce tallow, 
1 Ounce oil of turpentine, 
4 Ounces beeswax. 

Use the horse at light work until entirely recovered. 

If the difficulty be found to be a suppurating corn (one containing matter), 
the hoof must be cut down to let all the matter escape; cut away all the horn 
that has become separated from the quick, and pare away all the horn around 
the parts to a thin edge. Poultice the part with a linseed poultice, renewed 
until there is no longer tenderness, and the surface is smooth and healthy. Then 
put on a bar shoe with a leather sole, and fill the space from behind with tar 
held in place with a stuffing of tow. Give entire rest and no pressure on the 
heel until the sole of the foot has grown out naturally. 

If the corn has a tumor it should be cut out, and the same treatment pur- 
sued as advised for a corn that has formed matter. 

INJURIES OF THE FROG. 

The frog of the horse's foot is especially liable to injury from being bruised 
upon projecting stones, pierced by nails and splinters. It is also liable to in- 
flammation of the secreting membrane, resulting in the formation of matter, 
and to canker. 

What to Do. In all bruises with soreness, pare away the irog carefully 



88 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

until the difficulty is found. If bruised, treat it by using the liniment made of: 

1 Ounce camphor gum, 

1 Ounce corrosive sublimate, 

1 Pint oil of turpentine. 

If pierced with some sharp substance extract it and inject tincture of aloes 

TrL77« / t d f CUlty ^ thrUSh ' CaUSed ^ » t0 - et -nd filth, 
bruise of the frog, hard substance lodged in the cleft, or other cause, there will 
be soreness of the skin behind the cleft of the frog, and a bad smelling discharge 
irom the cleft with more of less lameness. 

Wash the affected parts thoroughly. Cut away all ragged surfaces and 
press mto the cleft or wound dry calomel, or finely powdered sulphate of copper. 

CANKER. 

This is one of the diseases that may arise from the prick of a nail or bruise 
Again it may occur without apparent cause. 

How to Know Lt. It is a disease most prevalent in heavy, coarse-bound 
horses. The frog will become large, spongy, and covered with a fungous growth 
oi a cheesy texture, and throwing out an abundant colorless, bad smellin- fluid 
If cut away it will again quickly spring into growth. The discharge is more 
offensive than m thrush, and the disease more obstinate, often resisting for a 
long time. 

What to Do. The horse must be in a clean, dry, well-ventilated stable. All 
diseased portions of the hoof must be carefully pared off so far as the knife 
may be able. The cure consists in destroying the fungoid granulations. Thus 
m cutting do not be alarmed at the sight of blood from the canker. Over the 
well portion of the hoof spread the folloAving: 

4 Grains chloride of zinc, 

1 Ounce flour, 

Mix, and apply dry. 

Cover the diseased parts with the following: 

V 2 Ounce chloride of zinc, 
4 Ounces flour. 

Tack on the shoe lightly, pad the parts within the shoe well, and secure 
good pressure by cross pieces driven firmly within the shoe. The second day 
after remove the shoe and padding, cut away everything that appears to be in 
a sloughing condition; repeat the dressing every two days until the parts are 
sound. As soundness begins to appear in portions of the surface, dress these 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 89 

with the following; that is, when fungoid granulations have ceased to sprout: 

2 Grains chloride of zinc, 
1 Ounce flour. 

As the canker improves, the dressings may be extended to the third or fourth 
day, and during the whole time of treatment the horse should be liberally fed, 
and be exercised gently for four hours every day. 

SAND CRACK. 

These are of two kinds, quarter crack, occurring in the inner quarter of 
the fore foot, and toe crack, occurring in the toe of the hind foot, both being 
cracks and fissures in the walls of the hoofs, beginning at the coronet and ex- 
tending downwards. 

Causes. Defective quality of the hoof, causing brittleness; bad shoeing, or 
splitting of the hoofs from hard driving on solid roads. 

How to Know It. When the horse leans his weight on the hoof, the crack 
will open; when the foot is lifted the crack will close. Sand and dirt work into 
the parts, causing excessive pain and lameness, often fever and the formation 
of matter. 

What to Do. In recent cases, before there is much inflammation, all that 
will be necessary to do will be to remove the shoe, cleanse the crack thoroughly, 
cutting into it if there is dirt or sand lodged inside, drawing the hoof together 
closely again, by the means of two thin clinch horse-shoe nails, one at top and 
one at the botton, and filling with the following composition : 

y 2 Ounce tallow, 

1 Ounce oil of turpentine, 

2 Ounces resin, 

4 Ounces beeswax. 

Melt together, and fill the crack with it quite warm, and let it cool. The 
foot should be protected so no dirt can enter, and the horse turned to pasture 
until a new hoof is grown, placing a bar shoe on the injured hoof. 

If the crack is an older one, and there is inflammation, the edges must be 
pared and the fissure sufficiently laid bare so it may be thoroughly fomented to 
reduce the inflammation, and poulticed until it assumes a healthy appearance. 
The parts must then be brought firmly together by means of clinch nails; covered 
with the above ointment; a bar shoe put on, and a new hoof allowed to grow. 

TOE CRACK. 
A hoof with crack in the toe should be treated precisely as though the difii- 



THE EAEMEES' VETEEINAEY GUIDE, 
culty occurred in another portion of the wall of the hoof Th P Mm u ■ » 

must be cut out. Then wash with a solution of chloride of zinc, made as follows : 

1 Grain chloride of zinc, 
1 Ounce of water. 

Whatever the quantity made, let it be in this proportion. Cleanse the whole 
interior of the crack fully. In cutting away the hoof, it should present L oval 
shape when finished, the points at top and bottom. P 3l 

Having cleansed the inner portions, if the crack does not extend completely 
from the coronet to the toe, with a firing iron, Just hot enough to cai the 
horn to smoke, the iron not at a red, but at a black heat, soften the crust and 
continue the cutting until the diseased portion is all exposed. If granulation 
(proud flesh) show cut it out and let the parts bleed. Then continue the appl! 

nrlr 1 th l, Chl0nd , e ° f Zine lotion three times a day until a healthy reaction is 
produced. The crack may then be stopped with pitch or tar and tow, or gutta 
percha; a bar shoe put on with two clips in front to hold the parts together, and 
the animal kept in a clean, soft pasture until a new hoof is grown. An exam 
matron of the parts being made from time to time to see that no grit or foreign 
substance has entered to increase the difficulty. 

Sand-cracks, quarter-cracks, and false-quarters, will require time to ensure 
lull recovery, and the time so consumed should not be grudged. 



CHAPTER XIII 



Miscellaneous Minor Diseases. 



EPITHELIAL CANCER. 

This is a nipple-like cancer, which sometimes appears on the lips of the 
horses. It should be promptly removed with the knife, after which the part 
should be burned over with lunar caustic. 

STINGS AND BITES. 

Hornets, wasps and bees often attack horses, and sometimes cause them 
serious injuries. To relieve a case of this kind, we use one of the following 
remedies, with which the coat must be thoroughly saturated: Solution of am- 
monia; weak carbolic acid wash, (1 ounce to a quart of water; 1 pint of lime 
water, in which 1 drachm of carbolic acid is dissolved; or oil of lobelia. 

Cases are recorded of horses having died in consequence of an attack oi 
bees In ordinary cases, the preceding direction properly carried out will be 
sufficient; but in more aggravated ones, sponge the whole body with lime water, 
and then smear with linseed oil. If lime is not accessible, use a weak solution 
of soda Spirits of turpentine and laudanum, in equal parts, will give reliet. 

To prevent the stings of gad-flies, make a strong infusion of the green bark 
of the elder, and wash the flanks before going out. To prevent the bites of 
buffalo-gnats, that are so troublesome along the lower Mississippi, cover the 
parts most likely to be attacked with a mixture of tar and lard-two parts of 
lard to one of tar. 

THICK WIND. 

This may be alleviated, and sometimes cured, by giving the following ball 
once or twice a day for several days in succession, as the animal may seem to 
need it: 

1 Drachm powdered camphor, 
1 Drachm powdered niter, 
1 Drachm powdered opium. 



92 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

WIND-GALLS. 

Causes. Wind-galls may arise either from strains, over exertion, or dropsy 
of the parts. As a rule they are elastic, round swellings on each side of the 
tendons, rarely becoming solid from coagulation of the lymph, unless as is 
occasionally the ease, the strain is so severe as to cause inflammation of the bone, 
ulceration and bony deposit. They do no injury whatever, and do not cause 
unsoundness. 

What to Do. If the puffs, wind-galls, are just appearing they may be scat- 
tered sometimes by a strong decoction of white oak bark and alum. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



MEDICINES 



What to Keep, How to Obtain, How to Prepare, and 
How to Give Them. 



It is not necessary that every farmer should keep a large quantity of medi- 
cines on hand. A few simples will suffice, except in the case of those who, having 
a large stock of animals, require medicines to meet cases apt to arise. The 
great point is good care and attention, in health, and good nursing in sickness, 
as being most important in the care of farm animals. The day has past for 
purging for every ill that even horse flesh is heir to. Good nursing, attention 
to the general health, and to symptoms, with the prescriptions we have given, 
will enable any one to carry an animal through an ordinary sickness. 

Every person who has carefully studied this work will see the necessity of 
keeping some medicines on hand, since there is no reason why with the aid of 
what we have presented, he may not be able to treat nine in ten of the diseases 
which farm animals are subjected and without the aid of a professed veterinary 
surgeon. The operations of medicine may be defined as follows: 

ALTERATIVES. 

Medicines acting generally and continually on the system. Especially on 
the blood and glandular system. Among the alteratives are: antimony, niter, 
sulphur, ginger, calomel, arsenic, iodine, iodide of potassium, sulphite, or bi- 
sulphite of soda. 

Antimony — Black sulphuret of antimony. Dose 1 to 2 drachms. Given in 
connection with sulphur, 1 to 2 ounces, and niter, 4 to 6 drachms. 

Ginger — Give as an alterative only in connection with other medicines. 



94 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Calomel — Give in broken doses, say 1 scruple. Another form of mercury, 
sulphuret, give 3 drachms once a day in connection with 4 drachms of cream of 
tartar in a pint of water. This has been recommended in obstinate cases of 
surfeit, and other affections of the skin. 

Arsenic — Dose, 5 to 10 grains daily. It should only be used under direction 
of a veterinarian. Its action is principally on the nerves. Fowler's solution 
of arsenic contains 4 grains to the ounce. It is the best form in which to ad- 
minister the mineral. 

Iodine — As an alterative, give 10 to 20 grains. 

Iodide of Potassium — Dose y 2 to 1 drachm. Valuable in chronic rheuma- 
tism, chronic cough, scrofulous enlargements, and to cause absorption in pleur- 
isy, and inflammation of the lungs. 

Bi-sulphite of Soda — This must not be confounded with sulphate. Dose y 2 
to 1 ounce, relieves tymphany. 

ANTISEPTICS. 

These are used to arrest mortification and putrefaction. The principal 
agents are charcoal, creosote, pyroligneous acid, sulphate of zinc. They should 
be applied directly to the parts affected. 

ASTRINGENTS. 

These are agents used to stop or lessen discharges, either of the bowels, 
nose, blood vessels, kidneys or glands, and are applied both internally and 
externally. Among those usually employed are: acetate of lead, alum, catechu, 
ergot, kino, opium, per sulphate of iron, tannin, the mineral acids, and gallic 
and tannic acids. 

They should not be used when there is considerable inflammation; nor for 
diarrhoea, in the beginning of a difficulty, since this flux is often an effort of 
nature to relieve the body by natural means. 

Acetate of lead — Dose, 1 to 2 scruples. As a wash, use a saturated solution. 

Alum — Dose, 2 to 3 drachms; useful in sore throat and dysentery. In 
powder, used for stopping the flow of blood. 

Catechu — Dose, 2 to 5 drachms. Useful in diarrhoea. 

Ergot — Dose, % to 1 ounce. Checks bleeding from the lungs, nose, stom- 
ach and bowels. As an astringent, for this purpose, it is better to give it by 
hypodermic injections, using ergotine in solution in five grain doses. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 95 

Kino — Dose, y 2 ounce to an ounce. Given in diarrhoea. 

Opium — Laudanum — Dose, powdered opium, 2 drachms. Laudanum, 2 to 
4 ounces. It is a well known agent in relieving the spasms of colic, dysentery, 
lockjaw and other convulsive ailments. In diseases of the lungs and breath- 
ing tubes, if the respiration is short and quick, it should not be given. So, if 
there is much fever it should not be given until these symptoms abate. 

Per sulphate of iron — Dose, 1 to 2 drachms. Useful for arresting bleeding 
or hemorrhage. 

Tannin — Tannic acid is the best form. Dose, 10 to 20 grains. A powerful 
astringent in diarrhoea or mucus discharges. 

CATHARTICS. 

These are medicines acting strongly and directly on the bowels as a purge, 
in from 3 to 12 hours. Strong purgatives should not be given except it be neces- 
sary to thoroughly evacuate the bowels, and deplete the animal system. The 
principal agents employed are aloes, croton oil, linseed oil, podophyllin and salts. 

Aloes, Barbadoes — This should always be used in preference to Cape aloes, 
which is more griping. Dose 4 to 8 drachms. 

Croton oil — A powerful and sharp purgative, valuable in obstinate consti- 
pations. Applied externally it is apt to irritate and produce blemish. Dose 
internally, 20 drops. 

Linseed oil — A safe, and pretty sure, mild purge. Dose 1 pint to 1 quart. 

Podophyllin — This is the active principle of the May apple. It is both 
purgative and sedative. Dose 1 to 2 drachms. Its effect on animals is not so 
marked as on man. In the commencement of fevers it is excellent. 

Salts — Sulphate of soda or Glauber salts is generally used when purgative 
effects are required. The dose is 1 to V/ 2 pounds. Epsom salts, sulphate of 
magnesia, dose 1 to 2 pounds, or 8 to 12 ounces, and repeated every three or 
four hours until an operation is had. 

CARMINATIVES. 

These are used in colic, griping, etc., and are often given with griping 
medicines. The principal agents are black pepper, caraway seeds, cloves, gin- 
ger, peppermint, sags, etc. 

Black pepper — Dose 2 drachms. When a quick and powerful remedy is 
required give 2 drachms red (cayenne) pepper. 



96 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Caraway — Dose y 2 to 1 ounce of the seeds, as a powder, or as an infusion. 

Cloves — Dose y 2 to 1 ounce of powdered cloves steeped in hot water and 
given warm, or 30 to 60 drops of the oil of cloves given in thin mucilage of 
gum arabic. 

Peppermint (oil — Dose 15 to 30 drops in mucilage. Sage or any of the 
' heating herbs may be given as a tolerably strong infusion or tea. 

COUNTER IRRITANTS. 

These are divided into classes: Rubefacients, which simply excite the skin 
to redness; vesicants, which blister, and suppurants which produce sores on the 
surface. They are serviceable by setting up inflammation on the surface near 
the seat of disease, in congestion and inflammation of internal organs; also of 
the bones, joints and tissues. Rubefacients are good in influenza, and other 
attacks of a general nature, where there is low fever; as, for instance, rubbing 
a paste of mustard on the legs and washing it off in ten or fifteen minutes. 
Vesicants should not be used when fever or inflammation is high, and suppurants 
are chiefly of value in old chronic complaints. 

Rubefacients — Alcohol, ammonia, mustard, turpentine. 

Vesicants — Cantharides, scalding water, and a hot iron at 212 degrees Faren- 
heit. 

Suppurants — Croton oil, ointment of tartar emetic. 

CAUSTICS. 

Agents which burn and destroy the flesh. Used to kill the virus in poisoned 
wounds, eat out proud flesh, destroy sloughs and stimulate old ulcers; to produce 
healthy action in fistula, and remove warts and other excrescences. Among the 
best agents are bettur of antimony, caustic potash, chloride of zinc, lunar caus- 
tic, (nitrate of silver), nitrate of mercury, nitric acid, and the iron at a white 
heat. Nitric acid must be used with care. It is powerful and intensely eating, 
causing extreme pain, but which soon ceases. It may be used by dipping a 
suitable slip of wood in the acid and applying. 

DIAPHORETICS. 

There are medicines to cause sweating or to increase the insensible perspira- 
tion, and thus relieve pressure on other organs. Acetate of ammonia in solution. 
Dovers powder, ipecac and cantharides are mainly employed; the animal being 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 97 

covered quite warm. Warm water is also useful, but steaming the most prompt 
of all. 

Acetate of ammonia — Solution. Dose, 2 to 3 ounces. 

Dover's powders — Dose, 3 drachms. 

Ipecac — Given in 2 to 3 drachm doses in warm water, until the effect is 
produced. Not especially useful for horses. 

Cantharides — Dose, 4 to 5 grains. 

DIURETICS. 

These are medicines to act on the kidneys. Saltpeter, sweet spirits of 
niter, cream of tarter, turpentine and digitalis are principally used. 

Saltpeter — Dose, 6 to 8 drachms. 

Sweet spirits of niter — Dose, 1 to 2 ounces. 

Cream of tartar — Dose, 1 ounce. 

Turpentine (oil) — Dose, 1 to 2 ounces. 

Digitalis — Dose, 15 to 20 grains. 

Both diuretics and diaphoretics are similar in their action. If sweating 
is intended, it must be assisted with warmth and friction. If operation on the 
internal organs is required, warmth and friction should not be used. 

DEMULCENTS. 

These are gummy or glutinous substances, used to soothe and cover inflamed 
surfaces, or those in an irritable condition; as inflammation of the throat, stom- 
ach and bowels; in diseases of the kidneys, or for irritable conditions generally. 
Those most in use are: Linseed tea, gum arabic water, slippery elm bark tea, 
starch water and olive oil. Marsh mallows makes one of the most valuable 
agents known, being especially soothing to the bowels. 

DISINFECTANTS AND DEODORIZERS. 

The most valuable of these are, sulphate of iron, chloride of zinc, carbolic 
acid, chloride of lime, used for disinfecting and deodorizing drains, etc. The 
cheapest is a solution of sulphate of iron, a good handful dissolved to each 
bucket of water used. As an atmospheric fumigant and disinfectant, the fol- 
lowing is cheap, and one of the best known: 



98 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 



V 2 Pound flowers of sulphur, 
2 Pounds pine tar. 

Mix with a gentle heat, saturate tow with it and burn without flame. 

Carbolic acid in weak solutions, or crude carbolic acid in its liquid, impure 
form, as it comes from the gas works, is valuable for brushing over any wood, 
:iron, brick or stone work. Also valuable for wetting cloths, and hanging up to 
destroy disease germs, keep away flies, etc. 

The following formulas will be found valuable disinfectants : 

1 Part sulphate of zinc, 

1 Part powdered oak bark, 

2 Parts sulphate of iron. 

Mix into balls of proper size and place in drains, sink-holes and cess-pools. 

Collins' disinfecting powder is made by adding 1 part of burnt alum to two 
parts of chloride of lime. Pour on water to thoroughly wet the mass, and set 
in shallow pans about the stable. 

The following is a powerful disinfectant: 

2 Pounds common salt, 
1 Pint oil of vitriol. 

Pour the oil of vitroil gradually and slowly over the salt, and the active 
disinfectant, muriatic gas, will be evolved. 

EMETICS AND EXPECTORANTS. 

What would act as an emetic, would be simply a nauseant with the horse. 
The horse does not vomit ; nauseants act to loosen a cough and to loosen the 
mucus in the air passages and thus facilitate its expulsion. Nauseants also 
act as a substitute for the old practice of bleeding. Tartar emetic, blood root 
and sulphate of zinc are among those usually employed. 

Tartar emetic — Doses, 1 to iy 2 drachms, in connection with lobelia and 
saltpeter. 

Blood root — Dose, from 2 to 4 drachms of the powdered root. 

Sulphate of zinc — Dose, 1 to 2 drachms. 

.... Tartar emetic — This is often employed in connection with saltpeter and 
lobelia. Dose, tartar emetic, 1 drachm; saltpeter, 1 ounce; lobelia, 1 drachm. 

NARCOTICS, ANODYNES AND SEDATIVES. 

These run into the other, and are used to soothe pain, allay the irritability 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 99 

of the system, and quiet excessive nervous action. Narcotics quickly quiet the 
system, induce sleep, and if taken largely, produce death. When given simply 
to allay pain they are called anodynes. The action of a sedative is to lower 
nervous force, reduce the pulse and abate febrile symptoms, especially in the 
beginning of acute inflammation. 

Narcotics— Opium, or its preparations, laudanum and morphia, belladonna, 
tobacco and Indian hemp. 

Opium is generally given as a tincture, in the form of laudanum, dose, 1 
to 2 ounces. 

Morphia — Dose, 3 to 5 grains. 

Belladonna — Dose, 2 ounces. 

Indian hemp — The dose of this drug is y 2 to 1 drachm. 

Sedatives— Aconite — tincture. Dose, 20 to 30 drops. 

Veratrum viride — The dose of this is 1 scruple. 

RELAXANTS. 

These deprive the muscles of their power. Of this class lobelia should be 
given in doses of 1 to 2 drachms. 

STIMULANTS. 

These are, alcohol, and are given in the form of brandy, whisky, rum, gin 
and ale. The latter when an animal is exhausted by hard driving. The dose of 
brandy, whisky or gin is 3 to 6 ounces, and of alcohol 1 to 3 ounces diluted with 
water. Other stimulants are: ether, close, 1 to 2 ounces; carbonate of ammonia, 
dose, 2 to 4 drachms; turpentine, dose, 1 to 2 ounces; and ginger, dose, 1 ounce. 
The ginger to be given as a tea. 

Stimulants are used when it is necessary to quickly raise the animal from 
exhaustion. In nervous exhaustion its effects are marked, but it must not be 
given in inflammation or fever. 

TONICS. 

Tonics sharpen the appetite, increase the nervous vigor, and thus improve 
the condition of the patient. Many horsemen are fond of giving condition 
powders, the main value of which lies in the alteratives and tonics contained. 
In this they suppose that they are beneficial to already healthy animals. Nothing 

1. ore. 



100 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

could be farther from the truth. They are not beneficial unless the animal is 
out of condition and the system needs rallying. To get the best effects from 
tonics, they should be given in light doses, and continued for a considerable time 
Then intermit for a few days, and if necessary commence again, or substitute 
another tonic. The mineral tonics, sulphate of iron, sulphate of copper and 
arsenic are more active than the vegetable tonics, Peruvian bark, gentian 
quassia, etc., though often the two forms combined act with greater efficacy. 

VERMIFUGES. 

These are medicines supposed to be useful in expelling worms. 

For round worms, common salt, to be licked at will, is one of the best agents 
to expel them. Oil of turpentine 1 ounce. Tartar emetic, 2 drachms and sul- 
phate of iron 2 drachms; give five or six days in succession, and follow by a 
purge. Four to 6 drachms of aloes is one of the best direct vermifuges. 

Tape worm— Oil of turpentine, 1 ounce doses; or root of male shield fern, 
1 ounce of the extract. Give all vermifuges fasting, and at the end of four 
hours give a purge of aloes. For weak animals give areka nut, 1 ounce. 

In using a vermifuge it is always better to clear the bowels before giving it, 
and in case the worms are in the intestines give injections as well as a purgative 
by the mouth. It should be remembered that vermifuge that destroys by mechan- 
ical irritation as iron filings, pounded glass, etc., should never be given. 

From the foregoing the action of the different classes of medicines will be 
learned. Some of the more common we have given as examples. In the vast 
list of drugs used in medicines and which are drawn alike from the animal, veg- 
etable and mineral kingdoms, and some of them, the most valuable, being deadly 
poisons, must not be given in too large doses; the practitioner cannot be too 
careful in their use. The closes we have given in this chapter are from medium 
to large. If there is any doubt in using those, especially the strong poisonous 
extracts or crystals, use the smaller. 

There are really but few medicines out of the large list that are of real and 
well known value in common practice. The druggist in preparing medicines, 
uses delicate scales and weighs accurately. It is always better that they com- 
pound the prescriptions if possible; yet, as it is not always convenient to seek 
the druggist, especially when a stock of medicines in ordinary use is kept, it is 
better to have a pair of scales and a liquid measuring glass. We therefore ap- 
pend a table of weights and measures as used by veterinarians: 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 101 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

APOTHECARIES' WEIGHT. 

20 grains make 1 scruple, 

3 scruples make 1 drachm, 
8 drachms make 1 ounce, 

16 ounces make 1 pound. 

WINE MEASURE. 

60 minims, or drops make 1 drachm, 

8 drachms make 1 ounce, 
16 ounces make 1 pint, 

2 pints make 1 quart, 

4 quarts make 1 gallon. 

Sufficient accuracy in fluid measure for anything not violent in its action, 
will be the following: 

60 drops, or 1 tea-spoonful, make 1 drachm, 
4 tea-spoonfuls, or 1 table-spoonful, make V 2 ounce, 
2 table-spoonfuls make 1 ounce. 
1 wine glassful makes 2 ounces. 
1 tea-cupful makes 4 ounces. 
1 tumblerful makes y 2 pint. 
1 tin- cupful makes 1 pint. 

A handful of flaxseed, or other seed, usually innocent in their nature, will 
weigh about 2 ounces; a handful of leaves of dried herbs will weigh about 1 
ounce. 

MEDICINES TO BE KEPT AND DOSES. 

The following drugs will be found handy. Keep everything in white bottles 
well corked. Corrosive substances must have ground glass stoppers. The drug- 
gist, if so instructed, will arrange things. Quantities of these to be kept should 
be about ten doses each, 1 dose is: 

1. Acetic acid — Antidote to acids, cooling astringent. Horse, 1 drachm; 
ox, 2 drachms; sheep, 1 scruple. 

2. Tincture of aconite — Sedative, diaphoretic. Horse, 20 to 30 drops; ox, 
30 to 40; sheep, 3 to 5 drops. 

3. Alcohol — Stimulant, diuretic, narcotic. Horse, 1 to 3 ounces; ox, 3 to 
6 ounces; sheep, 1 to 2 ounces. Locally, cooling astringent. 

4. Barbadoes aloes — Purgative. Horse, 4 drachms. 

5. Alum — Astringent. Horse, 2 to 3 drachms; ox, 3 to 4 drachms; sheep, 
y% to 1 drachm. 



102 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

_ 6. Ammonia, liquid— Diffusible stimulant, anti-spasmodic, anti-acid, diu- 
retic. Horse, % ounce; ox, i/ 2 to 1 ounce; sheep, y 2 to 1 drachm. 

^ 7. Carbonate of ammonia— Diffusible stimulant, anti-spasmodic, anti-acid, 
diuretic. Horse, 2 to 4 drachms; ox, 4 to 6 drachms; sheep, y 2 to 1 drachm. 

8. Anise seed, caraway, cardamon, fennel seed— Stomachic, carminative. 
Horse, 1 ounce; ox, 1 to 2 ounces; sheep, 2 to 4 drachms. 

9. Arnica tincture— Stimulant, diuretic. Horse, 1 drachm; ox, 1 drachm; 
sheep, 1 scruple. 

10. Assafoetida — Diffusible stimulant, carminative, vermifuge. Horse, 2 
drachms; ox, 4 drachms; sheep, y 2 to 1 drachm. 

11. Balsam of Peru— Stimulant, anti-spasmodic, expectorant. Horse, 1 
ounce; ox, 1 to V/ 2 ounces; sheep, 2 drachms. 

12. Borax— Nerve sedative, uterine stimulant. Horse, 2 to 6 drachms; 
ox, y 2 to 1 ounce; sheep, y 2 to 1 drachm. 

13. Blackberry root— Astringent. Horse, 2 to 4 drachms; ox, y 2 ounce; 
sheep, 2 scruples. 

14. Camphor— Antispasmodic. Horse, 1 to 2 drachms; ox, 2 to 4 drachms; 
sheep, 1 scruple. 

15. Carbolic acid— Sedative, anodyne, astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant. 
Horse, y 2 to 1 drachm; ox, 1 drachm; sheep, 10 drops. 

16. Cherry bark, wild— Expectorant. Horse, y 2 ounce; sheep, 2 to 3 
scruples. 

17. Copavia— Stimulant, diuretic, expectorant. Horse, 2 to 4 drachms; 
sheep, y 2 to 1 drachm. 

18. Cream of tartar — Diuretic. Horse, 1 ounce; sheep, 4 to 6 drachms. 
Laxative: horse, 5 ounces; ox, 5 to 8 ounces, sheep, 1 to 2 ounces. 

19. Ergot — Checks bleeding, parturient. Horse, y 2 to 1 ounce; ox, 1 
ounce; sheep, 1 to 2 drachms. 

20. Iron, peroxide— Tonic. Horse, 2 to 4 drachms; ox, 4 drachms; sheep, 
1 drachm. An antidote to arsenic. 

21. Lime, chloride — Checks tympany, disinfectant. Horse, 2 to 4 drachms; 
sheep, 1 to 2 drachms. 

22. Linseed oil — Laxative. Horse, 1 to 2 pints; ox, 1 to 2 quarts; sheep, 
y 2 pint. 

23. Lobelia — Sedative, anti-spasmodic, expectorant. Horse, 1 to 2 drachms; 
ox, 1 to 3 drachms; sheep, 15 grains; swine, 5 to 15 grains. 

24. Mallow — Demulcent. Give freely of cold infusion. 

25. Mentha piperita (peppermint) — 30 to 60 drops. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 103 

26. Oak bark — Astringent. Horse, 1 ounce; ox, 2 to 4 ounces, sheep, 4 
drachms. 

27. Olive oil— Laxative. Horse, 1 to 2 pints; ox, 2 to 3 pints; sheep, 3 to 
b ounces. 

28. Opium — Narcotic, sedative, anodyne, anti-spasmodic. Horse, y 2 to 2 
drachms; ox, 2 to 4 drachms; sheep, 10 to 20 grains. 

29. Opium, tincture laudanum— Narcotic, sedative, anodyne, anti-spasmodic. 
Horse, 1 to 2 ounces; ox, 2 ounces; sheep, 2 to 3 drachms. 

Of the powdered drug, give: Horse, i/ 2 to 2 drachms; ox, 2 to 4 drachms; 
sheep, 10 to 20 grains. 

30. Pepper, black — Stomachic, stimulant. Horse, 2 drachms; ox, 3 
drachms; sheep, 1 to 2 scruples. 

31. Pumpkin seeds — Vermifuge, taeniafuge. Horse, 1 pint. 

32. Rhubarb — Laxative, tonic. Horse, 1 ounce; ox, 2 ounces; sheep, 1 
drachm. 

33. Resin — Diuretic. Horse, 4 to 6 drachms; ox, y 2 to 1 ounce; sheep, 2 
to 4 drachms. 

34. Soap — Diuretic, anti-acid, laxative. Horse, 1 to 2 ounces; sheep, 2 to 
6 drachms. 

35. Silver nitrate (lunar caustic) — Nerve tonic. Horse, 5 grains; ox, 5 to 
8 grains; sheep, 1 to 2 grains. 

36. Sweet spirits of niter, Spirits of nitrous ether — Stimulant, anti-spas- 
modic, diuretic, diaphoretic. Horse, 1 to 2 ounces; ox, 3 to 4 ounces; sheep, 3 
to 6 drachms. 

37. Tobacco — Sedative, anti-spasmodic, vermifuge. Horse, 4 drachms; ox, 
4 to 6 drachms; sheep, 1 drachm. 

38. Tar — Expectorant, antiseptic. Horse, y 2 to 1 ounce; ox, y 2 to 2 ounces; 
sheep, y 2 ounce. 

39. Turpentine oil — Stimulant, anti-spasmodic, diuretic. Horse, 1 to 2 
ounces; ox, 1 to iy 2 ounces; sheep, 1 to 2 drachms. Vermifuge: Horse, 2 ounces; 
ox, 2 to 3 ounces; sheep, 4 drachms. 

40. Valerian — Diffusible stimulant, anti-spasmodic, vermifuge. Horse, 2 
ounces; ox, 2 to 4 ounces; sheep, V2 ounce. 

41. Wild cherry bark — Expectorant. Horse, 1 ounce; ox, iy 2 ounces; 
sheep, 3 drachms. 

42. Zinc, sulphate — Astringent, tonic. Horse, 1 to 2 drachms; ox, 2 to 3 
drachms; sheep, 15 to 30 grains. 



104 THE FARMERS > VETERINARY GUIDE. 

GRADUATING DOSES. 

In the administration of medicines the following statement of ages and 
doses will be found valuable in determining quantities. The doses mentioned 
m the preceding list being full ones : 

A horse of 3 years, ox 2 years, sheep 1% years and swine 15 months old, 
should have a full dose. 

A horse 15 months to 2 years; cattle 1 to 2 years, sheep 9 to 18 months, 
and swine 8 to 15 months, i/ 2 of a full dose. 

A horse 9 to 18 months, cattle 6 to 12 months, sheep 5 to 9 months and swine 
6 to 8 months, require % of a full dose. 

A colt 5 to 9 months old, calves 3 to 6 months, lambs 3 to 5, and pigs 3 to 
6 months old, may have i/ 8 of a full adult dose. 

Colts 1 to 5 months old, calves 1 to 3 months, lambs 1 to 3 months, and pigs 
1 to 3 months old, may have 1-16 of the dose. 

Nervous, excitable animals require less than others. The continued use of 
medicines renders their action slow and decreases their power. The influence 
of disease also cheeks or modifies action. In diseases of the brain, and spinal 
cord, and in impaction of the stomach, double quantities must sometimes be 
given, while in low fevers, y 2 the usual quantity may produce evil, and some^ 
times prove fatal. 

As a rule, anodynes, narcotics, sedatives, stimulants and anti-spasmodics 
may be repeated once in four hours until the required effect is produced. 

Twice daily may be given as the rule for alteratives, refrigerants, tonics, 
diaphoretics and febrifuges. 

Emetics are not given to horses. 

Purgatives should not be given the second time until the first has had full 
time to operate. In the horse not before 36 hours; cattle and sheep 12 to 15 
hours; swine 7 to 10 hours. 

Draughts of tepid water, or swine gruel, assist the operation of purgatives. 

A ball is not to be made round, but longer than it is wide and not larger 
than a walnut for horse or ox. It must be small enough so the animal may 
swallow it easily. Balls are made of drugs in powders mixed into a semi-solid 
state with honey or molasses and linseed meal and covered with oiled tissue 
paper. 

Drenches (liquid medicines) are made as infusions, with warm or cold water, 
or as decoctions with boiling water. Powdered substances not solvent in water 
are mixed with thick gruel or mucilage. 

A ball is best given with the aid of a balling iron. This has been previously 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 105 

described. Put the iron between the front of the jaws, and place the ball well 
back on the tongue with the hand. Hold the head well up until swallowed. 
This may be aided by stroking the throat next the jaws. 

Liquids are given from a horn or thick quart bottle with a pretty long 
neck, such as a champagne bottle. No liquid or irritating medicine' should be 
given until sufficiently diluted with water so that it will not injure the mouth if 
held therein some minutes. 

Oil of turpentine, croton oil and other strong irritating substances that will 
not mix with water, should be mixed with palm or olive oil, milk beaten with 
eggs, or it may be given in mucilage as the case may require. 

Powerful agents, that do not irritate, act promptly, injected under the skin 
with a hypodermic syringe. A surgeon's advice should be used in administering 
them. 

Injections are given with a horse syringe. There are patent injectors that 
pump in the liquid continuously. Small syringes are used for injecting 
in abscesses. Also the hypodermic syringe for injecting under the skin. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Breeding-. 



WHAT TO BEEED, HOW TO BEEED AND CAEE OE MAEES AND FOALS. 

To all persons engaged in raising horses, the subject of breeding is of the 
first importance; for, unless the laws which govern reproduction be, to sol 
extent, understood and acted upon, all efforts to improve existing sto ^ or to 
produce horses for particular kinds of service, must depend on chance, and of 

hat Mike T S * Ci ; S r„ P T. UnSatiSfaetOTy - ThS great law of -production, 
that 1 ike begets like," obtains with universal sway, both in the animal and 

vegetable kingdoms of nature. But every circumstance, however trifling, aff c"- 

ing either the male or the female, will have a corresponding influence on the 

offspring. Every farmer knows how mysteriously his genuine white wheat be- 

ofTheaT Tnft, Wl T HS neighb ° rS Pay n ° aMenti0n t0 k « a *»* sto <* 
of wheat. And this degeneracy is only the result of the fine dust from the 

bloom (called pollen) being carried by the wind from their fields to his Is 

a general rule, nature endeavors to impress the offspring with the type of both 

ofwt • ^ W l USUally find a more ° r !<*■ P^ect blending of the qualities 
of both m the offspring, with a decided prominence of those qualities peculiar 
to only one of the parents. And this does not extend merely to physical organ- 
ization, but is equally true of metnal characteristics, and also extends to the 
propagation of the diseased condition, or predisposition to the diseases of the 
parents. There is scarcely a malady to which the horse is subject which is not 
hereditary, or to which a predisposition, at least, may not be transmitted This 
is most certainly true of thick-wind, roaring, blindness, spavin, curb, con- 
tracted feet, grease, and many other diseases; and particularly of vieiousnesa 
But as the male only furnishes the vivifying principle (the pollen) to the egg 
(the ovum) of the female, while the female furnishes the nutriment of the em- 
bryo animal from her own secretions, we would naturally expect the offspring to 
partake more of the qualities of the female than of the male. And this fact 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 107 

shows that the selection of a mare to breed from is of more importance than 
the selection of the horse to breed to-a truth which seems to have been almost 
entirely overlooked, practically, at least, in this country. For we find that far- 
mers, as a general thing, instead of breeding their best mares, keep them tor 
labor, and breed those which are unfit for labor on account of their age, their 
viciousness, or even their positively diseased condition. Hence, although very 
good stallions are to be found in every part of our country, at least four-fifths 
of all our horses bear evident marks of hereditary disease, malformation, or 
viciousness. Though the defects of the parents may not appear in the imme- 
diate progeny, they will most certainly be found in the second generation. From 
the foregoing considerations we may deduce the following important points to 
be observed in breeding: 

First: The mare should be selected from a stock known to be suited to 
the purpose for which it is proposed to breed. She should be of proper age and 
size, well formed, of good color, proper gait, and free from any disease or mal- 
formation, or hereditary taint. 

Second: Select a stallion of good blood, but not of near kin to the mare,, 
which will be as nearly as possible a perfect complement to the mare; by which 
it is meant that if she is deficient in any point, this shall be remedied by his 
peculiar excellence in the same point. 

Third: It is more important that the ancestry of the mare should be 
known to be healthy and of good stock than that the same should be known 
of those of the stallion; for, although some mares breed after the horse, I believe 
that it may be truly stated that three-fourths breed after their own stock. 

To illustrate more fully these principles, suppose the mare to be too fine in 
her limbs; to remedy this in the offspring, the horse should be even heavier than 
desirable, but not clumsy. The dam and the sire should always be paired, their 
points should be well compared, so that any defect in the one may be counter- 
acted by a contrast in the other. A breeder often puts several mares to the 
same horse, and by so doing seldom gets the kind of horses he intends to raise; 
for it can not be supposed that any man will be so careful in selecting his mares 
as to have them all suitable to breed to "the same stallion. Farmers often pur- 
sue this course because it is more convenient to have all their breeders served 
by the same horse. But they pay dearly for their convenience when their best 
mares bring colts of the most inferior character, and fit for anything else than 
the object for which they intended them. This subject demands the most care- 
ful consideration by all who would perpetuate a good stock or improve an infer- 
ior one. 

Another very important point to be observed in breeding is, never to put 



108 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 



be m de r Hcite a atdtldo' ^ ""** ^ * ^ " W ^^ ^ for the *>* ^ 
De delicate, and seldom as good or as large as either the dam or the sire and 

never as durable or as well mettled. Natural deformity may generaUy be 
traced to the fact that the dam and sire were too nearly^kin. A^uished 

„f, lt . M • faCt ' however much s »™ may deny it, that strict confinement to 

plue^uectTir r 1UaWe ° r PerfeCt ' Pr ° dUCeS ^ adual deterioration" T 
pursue successfully the system of crossing requires much judgment and ex 

sToTand 1 fib " qUaliti6 7 f fte Cr0SS ^ 6aSily Rafted °on the or gi^a 
fZ ^ \u ' are n0t f ° r SeVCTal ^^rations, got rid of; and the good 

ones of both are occasionally neutralized to a most mortifying extent Cussing 
shoud be pursued with great caution, and the most perfect of the same br ed 
should be selected, but varied by being frequently taken from differed stocks 

We must again recur to the very pernicious but frequent practice of breed- 
ing on infirm small ill-shaped, bad-colored mares, and those positively diseased 
or predisposed to disease by hereditary taint-a practice which cannot be too 
severely censured. The author once interrogated a r umber of gentlemen who 

why thrl' d7 tl0n ' S T al Sma "' iU - Shaped and diS6aSed —, to Jew 
why the should have purchased such, when they were certainly able to have 

got good-sized, well-formed and sound ones. One of the gentlemen replied that 

had STv f mare W T Unfit f ° r mUCh Sei " ViCe ' but he *»' her eheap, and, as he 
had plenty of grass, he intended to turn her to breed." "Mv friend vour 
mare is better suited to any other purpose. Suppose you put her to a horse, and 
raise a colt, you cannot expect it, at the age of four or five years, to brin. more 
ban fifty or seventy-five dollars; and if any hereditary ailment should descend 

IL Ji ^T g 6n0Ugh t0 Pay tUS keepin ° of ihe dam f" the six months 

™, N °Z' SUp P , s e >'<>« ^d taken the opposite course, and purchased a 
large well-formed good-blooded mare, free from hereditary ailment, and put 
her to a judiciously selected stallion, you would have stood a fair chance of 
raising a colt worth double the price of the former, and you would also have 
had the profitable abor of the mare." Two of these gentlemeut followed our 
counsel disposed of their scrub mares, and purchased mares, and are new rail 
lug, perhaps, the best horses in their vicinity. 

Another subject of importance, is the unpardonable practice of breeding 
marcs at two years old. This hinders the growth and spoils the form of the 
mare. Thus, before her constitution is matured or her strength developed, she 
1S overladen, which crushes down her joints especially the fetlock, changes the 
natural symmetry of the body, and also has a tendency to injure the form of 
the back and ribs. After this burden is got rid of, at foaling then comes the 
reduction on the system by suckling of the foal. All these influences com- 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 109 

bined destroy the strength, form, and size of the mare. Besides all this, the 
foal comes of small size, not having had room in the space allowed by nature, 
and will necessarily be very delicate. It also has to be suckled by a mare that 
must continue to grow, and needs all that nature furnishes for that purpose. 
Thus both the dam and foal must be deprived of the full, natural demands of 
their systems, and they are both injured for all future time. 

If a mare is well treated through life, allowing her to mature before putting 
her to breed, she will continue to bring good foals until she is twenty, and some 
even above that age. But if hard worked and poorly fed, so as to show the 
effect of such treatment, she can not be expected to bring and raise as good 
foals as if she had been otherwise treated. 

The mare is said to go with foal eleven months or three hundred days; but 
fully developed foals have been brought forth five weeks earlier than this, while 
in other instances mares have carried their foals six weeks beyond this time. 
Farmers should not lose sight of this in putting their mares; for they should 
have their colts come at a time when there is some grass, as the mare will do 
much better not to be confined entirely to dry feeding at foaling. Some writers 
say that from the time a mare is put to the horse she may be used generally. 
But from this opinion our own observation and experience constrains us to 
dissent. We insist that she should be allowed to stand idle until the sensa- 
tion of her heat, or season, as it is sometimes called, subsides. After concep- 
tion, every mare, if permitted to go free, will stand by a fence or tree in a dor- 
mant position, after her heat goes off. Now, if at this time she be overworked 
or scared, she will cast the conception, and will require to be served again. We 
need not explain the cause of this, as there is no remedy or preventive for it, 
only to let the mare have ease and peace, to allow nature to fulfill her allotted 
functions. There can be no doubt, however, that after a mare has been a few 
weeks with foal, moderate work will do no injury, but will rather be of ser- 
vice to her. She may do farm-work up to the time of foaling, but must never 
be placed in a situation where she will be at all likely to receive severe jolts, 
kicks, or any other violence. Another evil to the conception is turning mares out 
with string-proud, or badly castrated horses, to be teased by these pests. This 
is very pernicious to their conception. On this the farmer needs no theory, as 
the best preventive of the evil is good fences to keep these fellows away from 
his breeding mares. 

Previous to the time of foaling there will be noticed a furrow-like fold on 
each side of the spinal bone extending from the tail to the haunch. This, and 
the increased size of the udder, or bag, are all the symptoms of approaching 
foaling that will be observed until about twenty-four or forty-eight hours pre- 
vious, when there will be seen an adhesive substance protruding from each 



110 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

teat, like drops of milk. This is a certain indication, and as soon as it is ob- 
served, measures must be taken to secure the safetj^ of the foal, which will re- 
quire that the mare shall be kept in a suitable place, where some careful person 
can look after her safety. 

Recurring again to the subject of putting a mare we would remark that the 
virgin niare, or one which has not for one season had a colt, is to be put when 
she is found in season. But the mare that has had a colt will be found in season 
some time in the first month after foaling, and if it is desired to breed her again 
she must be put at this time. She should be put on the ninth day after foaling. 
Some say the eighth; but we think the ninth better. Others prefer the eleventh 
day; but it is dangerous to wait longer than this, for in nine cases out of ten 
the mare will have come off her heat, and will not receive the horse until too late 
for that season. The chief reason of this is, that suckling reduces the system 
of the mare too much to allow conception to take place, and thus a year's ser- 
vice of the breeder is lost. We have known many instances of this kind. After 
putting a mare, the days for trial are the ninth after service, the seventh after 
this, and the fifth after this again, making twenty-one days. Some return 
again, commencing with the ninth, and follow up as before, making forty-two 
days. But we insist that, as twenty-one days is the period elapsing between a 
mare's going out of heat and coming in again, making her periodical term thirty 
days, twenty-one days is sufficient to prove a mare. 

Every breeder should be able to judge of the conception of a mare, which 
will require attention to the following points: After the first service of the 
horse, and before the next trial, on examining the vagina, or bearing, as some 
call it, if conception has not taken place, it will be of a fresh, bright, or florid 
and moist appearance, with a clear drop appearing at the lower part, and which, 
if touched, will incline to extend; but if conception is present, a different ap- 
pearance of the surface of the vagina will be presented. It will be found dry 
and of a dirty brown or rust color, and a dark, brown looking drop will replace 
the former clear drop. When these latter appearances are present, pregnancy 
may be regarded as certain. They may be relied on as a sure criterion in the 
purchase of a mare alleged to be with foal. 

Especial care should be taken of a mare about the fourth and fifth months 
of her pragnancy, and from this time forward. It is about this time when 
abortion is most likely to occur. Her feeding should be increased, as she cannot 
endure hunger. She has peculiar need of additional feed, as the rapid growth of 
the embryo is a material tax en her system, calling for an increased quantity 
of nutriment. There are two animals to support on the food of one. This 
must not be overlooked, or abortion will often be the consequence. Another 
cause of abortion, which we will mention, is showing a mare food which she 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. Ill 

likes, and lias been in the habit of eating previous to this time, and not letting 
Iier have it. Seeing or even smelling such food is dangerous. We saw a mare 
taken to a mill in the month of November, and hitched on a floor near a heap 
of bran, which she tried very hard to reach, but could not. Soon after being 
taken off the floor, she took sick and had a visible appearance of abortion; 
out a veterinarian who was present, and had seen the whole transaction, took 
some of the bran and fed it to the mare, and the spasms, or throes, left her, 
and never returned again until the full term. We have known other similar 
instances. Feeding hogs by the place where mares not grain-fed are kept, is 
ultimately dangerous. 

If a mare once slinks her colt, she will be very likely to do so at the same 
period of her pragnancy the next year, and continue the habit, especially if 
anything like the same provocation occurs. But if she slinks, or aborts, from 
a hurt, a strain, or some disease, she will not be so liable to continue it as 
a habit. 

If a mare is in the habit of slinking her foal, she should not be kept in the 
same lot with other breeding mares; for, though it may seem very strange, 
the act of one mare slinking will be almost certain to cause the others to do the 
same. This is the result of sympathy — some writers say of imagination. We 
rely for its explanation on that great sympathy whose delicate and mysterious 
chain binds not only the different organs of the same animal, but reaches out 
even to others of the same species, or even of different species, particularly if 
in close contact, so that an impression made on one does not stop with itself, 
but finds a response in the others. The nervous system is the medium through 
which this sympathy acts, and as this is always exalted in its sensibilities dur- 
ing pregnacjr, we might reasonably expect such a result as abortion from sym- 
pathy. Imagination, in deed, may produce abortion, but by an entirely similar 
impression on the nervous system to that produced by fright. Hysteria is a 
disease of the nervous, spasmodic characted, generally resulting from the sym- 
pathy of the uterus, or womb, with other organs, especially the stomach. The 
nervous system here is the medium through which the morbid impression is 
transmitted, and this peculiar organ is susceptible of being affected even by 
mental impressions. 



CHAPTER XVI, 



Raising the Colt, 



INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO FEED, CARE FOR, AND TRAIN. 

Under this head we shall treat of the management of the colt from the 
time it is foaled up to the time it is taken up for breaking, or training. There 
is but little to be said on this subject, though there are very important matters 
involved in it. After the colt is foaled, the mare should be allowed to stand 
idle for three or four weeks, until she comes to her milk. She also needs rest to 
allow her carcass to resume its proper shape and strength, which must neces- 
sarily have been considerably weakened by carrying the foal and foaling. The 
foal is also tender, and needs time to allow its limbs to acquire proper shape and 
strength. It should have as little traveling as possible to do; though it should 
be allowed to run with the dam on the farm, so that it may draw the milk often, 
which will increase the quantity, as well as enable the colt to get it while fresh, 
which is much more wholesome to it that stale milk. Though the colt should be 
allowed to run with the dam on the farm, it should not be allowed to follow 
her to market, or other places, over hard roads, for in this way it will be very 
apt to start impeniments, such as ring-bone, spavin, hoof -bound, curb, or splint. 

There is no period of a horse's life at which bad treatment will have so in- 
jurious an effect as at this. And what is here lost by carelessness or neglect 
can never be regained by any subsequent good attention. If it is desired to 
have a good, stout, well-shaped horse that will attain his natural growth, both 
the dam and colt must be well fed and protected from foul weather and severe 
storms. The proof of the old adage, "half stock, whole profit" is here real- 
ized. Nothing is ever made of any stock by starving, and much less of the horse 
than any other animal. Where shape and performance, or durability and ae- 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 113 

tion are required, if the young colt get a start by good feeding and care, it will 
be easy to keep hirn up until his training, at three or four years old, when his 
superior qualities will abundantly repay all former trouble. If poorly fed and 
illy used, there is seldom anything made. 

At five or six months the foal may be weaned, if its size and strength are 
such as to indicate that it is able to do without the milk. It should be put in 
a distant pasture, where it will have no opportunity of seeing the dam. It must 
now be closely looked after, so that it may be well prepared to begin its first 
winter. Oats and bran should be allowed in liberal quantity. It would be 
better to have the oats bruised. Generous feeding is the true principal of 
economy in this case. 

But the colt should not be rendered delicate by too close confinement or 
stabling. He wants the free use of his limbs out of doors to develop their 
strength, and the free access of air into the lungs to properly ventilate his 
blood. This too, is the most suitable time to commence the cultivation of that 
attachment to and confidence in man which gives rise to that implicit obedience 
which characterizes the horse above all other animals. Harshness and cruelty 
at this period are particularly injurious. The colt should be frequently handled 
by those feeding him, and even tied up, after becoming habituated to being 
led about by the halter. Early impressions on the horse, as well as on man, 
are the most enduring. 

The proper time for castrating a colt depends to so great an extent on the 
purpose for which he is intended, his shape of neck and head, his breed, etc., 
that any one age cannot be put down for this operation; though, from the prac- 
tice of our farmers, one would suppose that it is a matter of no consequence 
at what age the operation is performed. As a general rule the age of four or 
five months, for the farm or general purpose horse, will be found proper. But 
some regard should be paid to the weather, which should not be too hot, nor the 
flies very numerous. A horse intended for heavy draught or the carriage may 
generally be castrated at the age of one year, but if too light in the withers, 
inclined to be ewe-necked, his form will be materially improved by not castrating 
him until the fall, after he is a year old. But if a colt shows too large a head 
and is too heavy in the jaw, the earlier he is castrated the better. 

Some young horses are found to have crooked pasterns. This difficulty 
commences to develop itself at one year of age. It is caused by the side of the 
hoof growing thin and extending to one side. Generally, if the hind-hoof, it 
extends to the inside, but if the forehoof, to the outside. When the pastern is 
thrown outward, it is called pigeon-toe ; when inward, it is called officer toe. 
The extending inward of the hind-hoof is called dish-hoof. 



114 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

The difficulty can be remedied by turning up the foot and paring down and 
thinning the side which extends too far. But if this does not answer the pur- 
pose, put a half shoe on the side toward which the pastern inclines. This will 
3throw the pastern in its proper position, and correct the difficulty. We have 
•often succeeded by these measures in bringing the hoof straight, and, conse- 
quently, prevented a crooked pastern in the growing animal. The foot will 
imost certainly be distorted if this difficulty is neglected. 



CHAPTER XVII 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Their Causes; How to Know Them; What to Do. 



In the diagnosis of disease, and the administration of medicine, allowance 
must be made for a nervous temperament, which usually renders an animal 
more impressible; for habit, or continued use which tends to decrease the sus- 
ceptibility for individual drugs, for idiosyncrasy, which can only be discovered 
by observing the action of the agent on the particular subject, and for the in- 
fluence of disease when that is likely to affect the action. Thus, in most diseases 
of the brain and spinal cord, and in some impactions of the stomach, double the 
usual quantities of purgative medicine will be necessary; while in influenza, and 
other low fevers, half the usual doses may prove fatal. In acute congestion of 
the brain, stimulating narcotics (opium, belladonna, hyoscyannus) would ag- 
gravate the symptoms, etc. 

FREQUENCY OF ADMINISTERING. 

Anodynes, anti-spasmodic, narcotics, sedatives, and stimulants, may gener- 
ally be repeated once in four or six hours in order to maintain their effect. 
Alteratives, disphoretics, febrifuges, refrigerants, and tonics, may be adminis- 
tered twice daily. Purgatives should only be given when necessary, and should 
never be repeated until from the lapse of time we are assured that the first dose 
remains inoperative. Thus, unless in urgent need, a horse should not take a 
second dose of physic under thirty-six hours after the exhibition of the first, 
and in all cases, until the medicine had worked on 2 , he should be kept at rest 
and allowed only warm mashes and water with the chill taken off. In ruminants 
a second dose may be ventured on in twelve or sixteen hours, and in carnivora 



116 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

(dogs, etc.) and omnivora (swine, etc.) in from seven to ten hours. Emetics 
shound be given in full doses, and repeated in five or ten minutes if they fail to 
take effect, their action being further provoked by copious draughts of tepid 
water. 

FORMS OF DOSES. 

Drugs may often be given as a powdered solution in the food or water; 
they may be made into a soft solid with syrup and linseed meal, rolled into a 
short cylinder and covered with soft paper ; they may be converted into an in- 
fusion with warm or cold water, or into a decoction by boiling; or they may be 
powdered and suspended in thick gruel or mucilage. They may be given, in a 
liquid form, from a horn or bottle; or, as a short cylinder or pill, which may 
be lodged over the middle of the root of the tongue; or, as a sticky mass, they 
may be smeared on the back of the tongue; may be given as an injection into the 
rectum; or finally, in the case of certain powerful and non-irritating agents, they 
may be injected under the skin. 

No agent should be given until sufficiently diluted to prevent irritation, if 
retained a few minutes in the mouth, and irritants that will not mix with water 
(oil of turpentine, croton oil, etc.,.) should be given in a bland oil, in milk, or in 
eggs after being thoroughly mixed. 

HOW TO GIVE MEDICINE. 

Few things are so awkwardly done, as a rule, as giving medicine to farm 
animals. In the hands of a careful and expert person, a strong glass bottle is 
good. A better instrument is a flattened bottle of block tin, which for cattle 
should hold two quarts. The most usual instrument, and on the whole the best 
for ordinary operations, is the horn. Select one of which the point turns down 
and the large end up ; form this of the proper size and fashion so the opening will 
be oblique. 

Drenches should always be thoroughly mixed, and well shaken before they 
are given. If a fit of coughing ensues, free the animal at once and until it be 
ended. In operating with cattle do not irritate the animal unduly. Always 
operate from the right or off side. Pass the left hand over the head, and in 
front of the horn, seize the upper jaw firmly in front of the grinders, turn the 
head firmly back, the operator standing well braced, the back firm against, and 
as well forward of the shoulders as possible. Thus having the animal with one 
side against a wall, or the side of the stall, it must be a very vicious cow or 
bull that a strong, expert man cannot handle. If, however, the operator does not 
stand well forward and well braced, he may be severely kicked, since an ox. 
like a deer, can reach well forward with their hind feet. The usual quantity 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 117 

for an ox is from one to two quarts at a dose, if liquid, of ordinary decoctions 
and solutions. 

INJECTIONS, OR CLYSTERS. 

A large number of medicines, both liquid and solid, may be as easily ad- 
ministered per rectum as by the mouth. In administering injections, it is not 
necessary that much pressure be used. The intestinal canal of animals is lower 
than the opening. Thus fluid substances will fall by their gravity. A good in- 
strument for use may be a pail, with a tube extending from the bottom connect- 
ing with a half -inch rubber hose, of suitable length, so that the pail may hang 
just high enough above the animal to be out of their reach in moving about. 
Oil the end to be inserted into the rectum, and the fluid may be passed into the 
gut, as much or as little as may be desired, and with much better effect than 
when strong pressure is brought to bear on the fluid. 

When solid substances are administered per rectum, they are called sup- 
positories. They are often useful and simple, as in the case of a small cylinder 
of soap for young calves, to encourage the action of the bowels and ducts; and 
in the case of cows, in the use of disinfectants, to purify the discharges and 
lessen the danger of puerperal fever; suppositories are made into form by 
means of soap, starch, lard, etc. 

VAPORS, SPRAYING AND FUMIGATION. 

These are medicants drawn in with the breath. Chloroform and ether 
may be administered by means of a sponge filled with the agent and held to the 
nose. Vapors are easily produced from liquid substances by means of an 
atomizer, sold by all druggists. 

Steaming is often of great benefit. A hot bran mash, in a nose bag, readily 
gives off steam. 

FOMENTATIONS. 

These are applied by wrapping the part to be treated with flannel bandages 
or woolen cloth, and keep the wrappings constantly wet with hot or cold water, 
or mixed with any appropriate addition as vinegar, laudanum, etc. They are 
used to cleanse or soothe irritable wounds, to reduce internal inflammation, or 
relieve external inflammation. Unless persistently used for hours and kept 
constantly wet, they had better not be attempted. After the operation is fin- 
ished, rub dry and clothe warmly, to prevent chill, which will surely occur. As 
an additional precaution, a little mustard rubbed in would be beneficial. When 
it can be applied, a sheepskin with the wool on wrung out of hot water, makes 
a good agent for fomentation. 



118 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

RECOGNIZING AND DISTINGUISHING DISEASES. 

The following explicit and detailed rules for recognizing diseases in ani- 
mals, should be carefully studied. Anyone who would become expert in recog- 
nizing diseases in animals, must study them carefully in the healthy state, and 
make himself thoroughly familiar with their habits, appearance and general 
physiology. He must practice feeling their pulse and the heart, listening to the 
sounds of their lungs in breathing, and taking their temperature, by feeling the 
skin and also by using a properly constructed thermometer. He should watch 
the appearances of the eye and tongue, and note the positions assumed when 
asleep and awake. He should observe the character and frequency of their 
appetite. For it is in the variations from health in these particulars that the 
veterinarian discovers the guides which lead him to the recognition of the 
particular disease he has to treat. We assure our readers that if they will 
verify our statements by practice on the living animals, they will soon be in a 
position to take charge of them when sick, quite as well and often a great deal 
better than the average veterinary. 

THE PULSE. 

The pulse differs very much in the domestic animals. In the full grown 
horse at rest, its beats are about forty per minute; in the ox from fifty to fifty- 
five; and in the sheep and pig, about as in man, that is, averaging seventy to 
eighty beats in the minute. In calves and colts, and in animals well advanced 
in years, the pulse increases, in health, to about twice these figures; and it is 
also increased by hot, close stables, full feeding, and the condition of pregnacy. 

The pulse may be felt wherever a considerable artery passes over a bone. 
It is ususally examineb in the horse on the cord which runs over the bone of 
the lower jaw, just in front of its curved portion; or on the bony ridge extend- 
ing upward from teh eye, or inside the elbow. In cattle conveniently reached 
over the middle of teh first rib, or beneath the tail. There is a marked differ- 
ence of force in the pulse of the two species; that of the horse being full and 
rather tense, while in the ox it is soft and rolling. 

When the pulse differs materially from these conditions in any direction, 
it is a sign of disease. If rapid, full and hard, there is high fever or acute 
inflammation; if rapid, small and weak there is low fever, loss of blood, or 
weakness. If very slow we may suspect brain disease; if irregular, now fast and 
in a few seconds slow, we should look for a diseased condition of the heart. 

In the sheep, the pulse if felt by placing the hand on the left side, where 
the beatings of the heart can be felt; or at about the middle of the inside of 
the thigh, where the femoral artery obliquely across the bone. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 119 

THE BREATHING 

The breathing is next in importance. If the ear is applied to the throat 
of a healthy horse or ox, the air will be heard passing through the windpipe with 
a regular, stacly, blowing sound; if applied to the chest a soft rustling murmur 
Avill be heard, like a gentle breeze in the tree tops, caused by the air passing in 
and out of the fine tubes and vessels of the lungs. But where the lung or throat 
is diseased, these sounds are very much changed and in many directions, which 
it is not necessary to dwell on here, but which will at once indicate the pres- 
ence of something amiss with these important organs. 

If the forefinger of the left hand is placed firmly on the chest and smartly 
tapped with the ends of the three first fingers of the right hand, the sound will 
be noticed to be more resonant and clear than when the same procedure is prac- 
ticed on the solid thigh. This is because the lungs are not solid, but are always 
in health, well expanded with air. But in various diseases, as pneumonia and 
pleurisy, they fill up with fluid and become solid, then the sound given out, by 
thus percussing them, as it is called, is like that on any other solid part of the 
animal. Hence this in another very important indication of disease. 

By practice on healthy animals the character and boundaries of these sounds 
can be learned so closely that any variation from them will be at once detected, 
and will sometimes reveal the presence of an unsound condition when nothing 
else will. 

The rapidity with which the act of breathing is performed can easily be 
counted by the heaving of the chest. In health in the adult horse at rest it is 
from eight to twelve times a minute, and in the ox a little faster. Any great 
increase without obvious cause, is a positive sign of diseased condition. 

THE ANIMAL HEAT. 

The temperature of animals can be ascertained, to a slight extent, by the 
feel of the skin, the ears and the legs. A hot, dry skin in a horse generally 
accompanies a feverish condition. Cold ears and legs are a sign of serious 
disease. But the only scientific, that is accurate plan, is to use what is called 
a "clinical thermometer;" that is, one, the bulb of which can be bared in the 
rectum. After it has remained there two or three minutes, the mercury will 
accurately indicate the temperature of the blood. This in health is 98 degrees, 
and any deviation from this, even of a few degrees, is a certain sign of disease. 

Thus it has been found that every disease has its own degree, a temperature 
at which it is either favorable or fatal. For example, in that sometimes preva- 
lent epidemic among horses, cerebro-spinal meningitis, the thermometer rises as 
high as 104 degrees, it is a certain indication that the horse will shortly die; 



120 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

while in such a disease as inflammation of the lungs, the mercury will register 
308 degrees, or 109 degrees, and the horse recover. If in gastric or typhoid 
fever the heat has been 103 degrees, and falls to 100 degrees, and then suddenly 
rises again to its previous figure, the chances are terribly against the patient, no 
matter what the other appearances may seem to say. These few examples 
will serve to show how valuable the instrument may become in the hands of an 
intelligent person. 

THE SKIN AND THE HAIR. 

The skin in its general feeling and appearance is an important guide to the 
condition of an animal. A dry, scurfy appearance is a symptom of indigestion, 
and liability to joint affection. What is called "hide bound" is a symptom of 
a general state of poor nutrition, arising from indigestion, improper food, worms, 
or a want of proper exercise. The skin feels stretched and hard, as if too small 
for the body. The condition known as "staring coat," when the hairs stand out 
like bristles, is often the only symptom of a low state of health. Whenever 
an animal is disposed to shiver, with shedding of the coat, when exposed to 
moderate cold, or without such exposure, it is on the edge of some disease, often 
indicating the approach of an attack of farcy or glanders; and when with this 
are repeated shivers or chills, we may expect the strangles, weed, or other 
diseases with suppuration. When in an attack of disease the skin becomes cov- 
ered with cold sweat, the life of the animal is in great danger. 

THE POSTURE. 

The position of an animal, its mode of standing and lying down, are all 
significant. Lying persistently on one side, or obstinately maintaining one 
position, shows that any other is painful. Horses stand as long as they possibly 
can, as they breathe much easier in the upright position; and if they once lie 
down, they soon despair and die. Hence the rule is with a horse to sling him 
up, in various ailments. With cattle it is different, and it is much less import- 
ant to keep them erect. When animals cannot rise, it may be from weakness, 
or from palsied limbs, or from severe injuries or sprains. 

INDICATION OF PAIN. 

The feeling of pain in animals in indicated by their flinching when the 
painful part is touched; by the care which they take in lying down, walking or 
standing to "favor" the part, and by the appearance of the eye. Distress and 
suffering are generally plainly apparent in the face of sick horses and cattle. 

SPECIAL SIGNS IN CATTLE. 

In cattle, the horn at its root yields, by the sensation it imparts to the hand, 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 121 

a rough idea of the temperature of the blood. If the temperature is natural, 
there is no fever; if cold, and the tips of the ears also cold, it is a sign of some 
serious internal congestion; the blood no longer circulating in natural force 
through the extremities. 

The muzzle is another part to take note of. In health this is moist, cov- 
ered with "dew," as the saying is; but in disease, especially fever, it is dry, 
hotter or colder than natural, and sometimes changed in color, paler or injected 
with blood. By looking at the flanks, the regularity of the respiration is noted, 
rapid and irregular heaving there betraying the disturbance of the important 
function of breathing. In ruminants also, the second mastication of the food 
is among the first of the vital processes to become disturbed in disease. When 
a cow or an ox "loses the cud," as it is called by herdsmen, that is, ceases to 
ruminate without apparent cause, there is sure to be a feeling of sickness about 
the animal which is thus interfering with one of its processes of digestion. No 
animal can thrive in this condition; it needs attention. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Gestation, Diseases and Accidents Thereof. 



WHAT TO DO DURING GESTATION. 

As a rule the cow should be dried about the sixth or seventh month when 
stock breeding is the object. When milk and not calves is the object, the flow 
may be continued to within six weeks of calving. 

Grazing should always be allowed as much as possible, the exercise and 
grass both being favorable to healthy gestation. In winter the food given 
should be nutritive, easy of digestion, cooling, and of such quantity as not to 
induce either constipation or undue laxity. Water should be especially pure and 
plentiful, and not excessively cold; in fact, all frozen food is to be avoided. 
Cleanliness is essential. Harsh or cruel treatment, running by dogs, all danger 
of fright must be avoided. Surgical operations and severe medication is to be 
avoided, especially drastics. 

BIRTHS. 

As a rule in natural parturition there is nothing gained by undue haste. 
The animal should have quiet and be left to itself so long as everything is going 
on tolerably well. In the majority of cases nature will assist herself to a safe 
delivery. A roomy stall, in winter well warmed, should be provided with rather 
thin but compact bedding. In summer, or other mild weather, let the cow be 
out of doors by all means; in a small grass lot is best. 

PROLONGED LABOR. 

When the labor is prolonged from excessive size of the foetus, and this 
is suspected beforehand, or if time do not press and there is no special excite- 
ment in the cow, and there is delay in the descent of the calf, oil the hand and 
arm and feel for the neck of the womb in the vagina. If it be rigid carry ex- 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 123 

tract of belladonna up the vagina and smear the neck of the womb for a few 
times. This should cause relaxation of the parts. If the time is passing carry 
a narrow-bladecl, blunt-pointed knife in the hand in the vagina; find the mouth 
of the womb with the forefinger, slip the knife along the finger until it enters 
the neck of the womb about a quarter of an inch, and make a slight cut in all 
four sides of the neck by turning the knife. A slight nicking will suffice, since 
the mouth once loosened in its contraction, the neck will give way, and the bag 
of water will accomplish the rest. The utmost care is needed insuch work, 
however. 

LARGE PRESENTATION. 

Sometimes the calf is so large that the musclar efforts of the cow can not 
force the mass forward. In this case do not resort to strong means until all 
other fail. Let a small-handed man introduce both hands, well oiled, up the 
vagina, carefully working forward beside the calf, gradually pressing apart the 
orifice; pass closely to the calf with the hands, and as the pains commence, pull 
forward as strongly by pressure against the foetus. When a main effort is 
made pull forward, and at the same time slip the hands slowly back, and the 
calf will often follow. Repeat this again and again as the pains are renewed. 

UNNikTURAL POSITIONS OF THE CALF. 

These are various and resort should be had to a veterinary surgeon. 

RETENTION OF THE AFTER-BIRTH. 

There are many causes leading to this. The most common of these are 
hurried deliveries, adherence of the after-birth to the walls of the womb, and 
poverty of the animal. Retention for two or even three days under ordinary 
circumstances is not especially serious. If left to putrify, fetid discharges will 
exhaust the animal. The blood is poisoned, and the animal either dies or re- 
mains unhealthy for life. After forty-eight hours, if trouble still exists, the 
hand and arm well oiled should be introduced, and the after-birth carefully sep- 
arated from the walls of the womb by picking with the fingers and nails, and 
gradual but firm pulling. The whole having been completely removed, syringe 
the vagina thoroughly with the following: 

1 Oz. Chloride of lime, 
1 Qt. soft water. 

Give the following as a physic: 

8 Oz. Epsom salts, 
x / 2 Oz. Ginger pulverized, 
V± Oz. Caraway seed pulverized, 

2 Drachms Copavia. 



124 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Give as a drench. If there is a tendency to bleeding, give the following: 
2 Oz. Ergot of rye, powdered. 

TEMPORARY PARALYSIS. 

Cows are frequently paralyzed in their limbs before parturition. If they 
do not regain the use of their limbs soon, or if they improve slowly, give the 
following : 

2 Drachms powdered mix vomica, 

2 Drachms sulphate of iron. 
Give in a pint or two of gruel twice a clay. Avoid all so-called cleansing 
drinks; 'they are generally injurious. When there is unusual debility the fol- 
lowing will be indicated: 

1 Oz. powdered anise seed, 

1 Oz. powdered myrrh, 

1 Oz. powdered allspice, 

1 Oz. powdered cummin seed. 

To be stirred in a quart of warm gruel as a drench. 
If constipation is strong and persistent give: 

y 2 lb. sulphate of magnesia, 
1 Oz. ground anise seed, 
6 Oz. olive oil. 

Give in a pint of gruel, and repeat daily if needed. 

If there is strong relaxation with continued diarrhoea, the following will 
be indicated : 

2 Drachms powdered catechu, 
1 Oz. powdered ginger, 
30 Drops sulphuric acid, 
1 Oz. laudanum. 

Give in a quart of gruel, ale or weak whisky and water. 

TREATMENT OF CALVES. 

The Calf's First Need. Every new-born calf needs early cleansing by the 
licking of its dam. If this is neglected, it may be induced by sprinkling salt 
on the calf. If after the naval string is severed (which the cow does with her 
teeth) it should bleed, it must be tied with a strong thread. If there be inflam- 
mation at the navel a mollifying ointment may be used; if a tumor appear, it 
may be lanced and poulticed. The mother's milk- is the best norishment for the 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 125 

young calf. It also furnishes needed correction and regulation for the bowels 
and other organs. 

Diarrhoea, etc. Affections of this nature destroy many calves. Unsuitable 
food may induce it, or overheating of the dam. Two ounces of castor oil con- 
taining one teaspoonful of powdered ginger is a valuable corrective. It should 
be followed by gentian root tea mixed with two ounces of lime-water, a pint 
being given three or four times daily. Where this treatment and attention to 
the diet of the mother and calf fail, resort may be had to strong teas of oak 
bark, or willow bark, with ginger added in either case. 

EPIZOOTIC. 

Epizootic aptha, is generally known as foot and mouth disease. Although 
a contagious febrile disease occurring in cattle and sheep, and communicable by 
transmission to swine and even man, it is fortunately rarely fatal, and is char- 
acterized in animals by an eruption of small blisters in the mouth, and between 
the clefts of the hoofs, and along the upper margin of the coronet. It is a 
specific poison of obscure origin, remaining in the system from one to four days 
before producing its characteristic symptoms. 

How to Know It. There is an increase of temperature in the body, fol- 
lowed by an eruption of small blisters, of the size of a dime, situated on the 
tongue, the roof of the mouth, inside the lips, and occasionally on the udder. 
The blisters in the cleft of the hoofs and around the coronet and heels, are 
identical with the others, but smaller. 

When the disease is mild, it is easily cured by daily applications of a 
portion of the following, applying by means of a swab or sponge: 

2 Oz. powdered golden seal, 

1 Oz. tincture of matico, 
4 Oz. honey. 

When the disease is violent and of long standing, it is apt to extend through 
the whole course of the ailimentary canal. The method of cure, in this event, 
is by tonics and astringents. The remedies are tincture of matico, golden seal, 
and sulphur, in the following proportions: 

4 Drachms tincture of matico, 

2 Drachms sulphur, 

2 Drachms powdered golden seal, 
1 pint water. 

The patient's diet should consist of oatmeal gruel, slightly alkalized with 
hyposulphite of soda. 



120 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

MALIGNANT CATARRH. 

Caused by feeding in damp, cold situations, and feeding on marshes in pe- 
culiar seasons. Low, wet river bottoms are most subject to give it to stock; a 
fetid saliva drivels from the mouth and a stinking diarrhoea succeeds costive- 
ness. Death ususally ensues from the eighth to the tenth day preceded perhaps 
by convulsions or signs of suffocation. 

The treatment is to clean the bowels with the following: 

1 Pint olive oil, 
1 Oz. laudanum. 

In eight or ten hours, if it do not operate, give another. Follow this with 
diuretics, sweet spirits of niter in half-ounce doses, and also with antiseptics, 
potassa chlorate, in doses of one-quarter drachm. Wet cloths should be kept 
on the head; the mouth and nose. sponged with quite a weak solution of carbolic 
acid. Give as food only soft mashes. 

LICE ON CATTLE. 

All cattle, and especially those in poor condition, are liable to attacks of 
lice of various species, which will propogate very rapidly, soon infesting other 
stock and even the stables and barns themselves. Treatment must, therefore, 
be directed promptly v at the animals, and their surroundings also. Stables 
should be cleaned and whitewashed. Their scratching places should be coated 
with petroleum or coal tar. 

For treatment of the cattle, poisonous substances must be shunned carefully, 
as their habit of licking themselves would result in their injury. One of the 
simplest preparations is a strong solution of tobacco leaves saturated with rock 
salt. This may be applied thoroughly on several occasions at intervals of three 
or four days. Repetition is necessary to the extirpation of the young, which 
may be hatched after the first application. If alcohol be used in the decoction 
of tobacco leaves it will destroy the nits as well as the lice, and prove the quick- 
est relief from the pests. 

4 Parts linseed oil, 

1 Part common creosote. 

A good preparation which will remain well upon the hide is this: 

An ointment of cayenne pepper or Scotch snuff mixed with hog's lard, well 

rubbed in, will be found very effective. Especially look out for vermin in young 

stock, or stock in poor condition. 

FOULS IN CATTLE. 

Foul claw, or foul in the foot, is a disease characterized by inflammation 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 127 

and suppuration of the substance in the cleft of the hoof. Sometimes it 
extends to the entire foot, and even includes the whole leg, causing fever, fail- 
ure, and death in some cases. Usually it affects the hind feet. Foreign sub- 
stances between the claws, excessive weight and strain upon the foot, or a 
scrofulous condition of the system may cause this trouble. Its best treatment 
consists of careful cleansing of the sore; poulticing, if much inflamed, and 
astringent applications. In cleansing, a syringe may be needed, using a solution 
of carbolic acid. Cloths saturated with the solution should be pressed into the 
opening and bound there. A clean stable, or a dry pasture ground are essen- 
tial. For a wash, use: 

Carbolic acid, one drachm, 
Water, six ounces. 

For an ointment, use: 

Oil of turpentine, four ounces, 

Lard, four ounces; 

Powdered sulphate of copper, one ounce. 

HORN-AIL, OR HOLLOW HORN. 

What is popularly known by these names is not a disease originating in 
the horns or located there. A peculiar coldness of the horns is one of its 
symptoms, but the cause of the disease is a degenerated condition of the blood, 
resulting from other diseases, or from exposure, foul air, unclean stables, poor 
food, bad water, etc. Uniformity of food may produce these ill conditions. 

General debility, loss of flesh, rough, lousy hide, loose or constipated bowels, 
whiteness of tongue and cold horns are the usual symptoms. 

All local treatment of the horns is worthless. Good food, cleanly and com- 
fortable housing and treatment for vermin if they be present are the first requi- 
sites. Cleansing the bowels and tonic treatment are then in order. 

Use for one week daily in dry food, the following: 

Sulphate of iron, two drachms, 
Powdered nux vomica, one drachm, 
Powdered gentian, one ounce. 

DIARRHOEA, DYSENTERY, ETC. 

See Chapter 5. 

COW-POX. 

This disorder is akin to small-pox in man, though it is far less to be dreaded. 



128 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

It sometimes appears without discoverable cause, but inoculation or contact 
with the disease is regarded as essential to its propagation. It begins with 
slight fever; pimples then appear on the teats, udder and belly; the milk dim- 
inishes, the cow droops and its appetite fails. It is not uncommon for several 
crops of pustules to form, break, and dry up. The sick animal should be isolated 
and subjected to a mild, sedative treatment, keeping the bowels free but not 
loose. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



LOCK-JAW. 

This is produced from a variety of causes, among the more common, being 
inflammation of the membranes from improper gelding, injuring the hoofs, 
horns, etc. The animal is unable to walk, or only so with difficulty; the jaws 
are set, and death ensues in a short time. Warmth, and quiet is recommended 
and give one-half to three-quarters of an ounce of castor oil, according to the 
age of the sheep, the disease being confined mostly to lambs, and sheep after 
gelding. Follow the dose of castor oil, in half an hour, with ten grains of 
opium, and at the end of an hour, give another ten grains of opium if a de- 
cided sedative effect is not produced. Epilepsy is a kindred disease, in fact 
tetanus is considered to be an aggravated state of epilepsy. The remedial 
means will be the same. 

PALSY. 

This is the opposite of epilepsy. The sheep is unable to move its limbs. 
It is supposed to be produced by cold and improper treatment. It is rare in 
this country. Take the lamb to a warm place, give it warm gruel, with a little 
ginger mixed in it. If a purgative is indicated give: 

2 Oz. Epsom salts, 
V 2 Drachm ginger. 

Mix in half pint of ale or water; to be followed by two drachms of lauda- 
num in an hour. 



130 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

THE SCAB. 

This is produced by a minute, almost microscopic insect which burrows 
binder the cuticle, producing intense irritation, the escape of serum, and which 
■drying, brings off with it wool and all, and spdearing with great rapidity, soon 
infests the whole flock. The tenacity of life of these insects is so great that 
si scabby pasture has been said to spread the contagion after three years. The 
prevention of infection should be imperative with every flock master. 

How to Know It. The sheep is restless and constantly rubbing itself 
against posts and other objects it can get near. It bites itself with its teeth, 
and scratches itself with its hoofs. Soon the fleece becomes ragged and begins 
to fall out, and the animal appears wretched and unsightly, and at length dies. 

What to Do. The remedies are both liquid and oily. A good dip, and one 
regarded in England as most effective, is the following: 

3 Pounds arsenic, 

3 Pounds pearl ash, 

3 Pounds sulphur, 

3 Pounds soft soap. 

Mix in ten gallons of boiling water, stir, but avoid the fumes, and add 
ninety gallons of cold water. Prepare a tank that will easily allow a sheep 
to be dipped, having a slanted, slatted drain at the side, tight bottom underneath 
to allow the drip to run back. Dip the sheep, back down, being careful not to 
allow the head to enter the poisonous mixture, letting the animal remain one 
minute Lift on to the slats and rub and squeeze the wool, until pretty well 
drained, and place in a yard until dry. When dry, go over the flock again, as to 
the heads, with the following: 

1 Pound mercurial ointment, 

6 Pounds lard, 

1 Pound rosin, 

y 2 Pint oil of turpentine. 

Mix the mercurial ointment with the lard by heating gently and stirring. 
Dissolve the resin in the turpentine and rub all together when the lard is cold. 
Part the wool on the head between the ears, on the forehead, along the neck and 
under the jaws, and rub in the ointment, 

In the United States, tobacco is often used in the place of arsenic: if used, 
substitute ten pounds of strong tobacco leaves for the arsenic in the formula as 
given above. 

A formula in great repute among Australian shepherds, is the following: 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 131 

1 Pound tobacco leaves, 
1 Pound sulphur, 
5 Gallons water, 

Boil the tobacco in the water, then add the sulphur. 

The sheep is dipped in this solution while quite hot, and retained in it four 
or five minutes, its head being from time to time thrust under so as not to enter 
the eyes, nose of mouth, and the wool pressed and dried as before stated. 

DISEASES OF THE LIMBS AND HOOFS— FOOT ROT. 

This is an infectious disease often aggravated by grit and dirt increasing 
the inflammation. 

The first symptom is the disappearance of the naturally smooth, dry, pale 
condition of the skin at the top of the cleft, over the heels. It becomes some- 
what red, warm and moist, and slightly rough or chafed. Next, the moisture 
increases to a discharge, and an ulcer is formed which extends down to the 
upper portion of the inner wall of the hoof. These walls are then attacked, be- 
comes disorganized and the disease penetrates between the fleshy sole and the 
bottom of the hoof. The hoof is thickened at the heel by an unnatural deposi- 
tion of horn. The crack between it and the fleshy sole pours out an offensive 
and purulent matter. Soon all parts of the foot are penetrated by the bur- 
rowing ulceration, the horny sole is disorganized and the fleshy sole becomes a 
black and swollen mass of corruption, shapeless, spongy, and often filled with 
maggots. The fore feet are usually first attacked; lameness is early noticed 
and soon becomes complete; the appetite is lost, and the animal dies from ex- 
haustion. The offensive odor of the true foot rot is characteristic, and once 
made familiar will serve as a certain guide in recognizing the disease. The 
disease may present itself in a malignant and rapid form, or in a mild one. 
The first attack on a flock is generally of the severe character. When it is kept 
under the first year, its appearance the next summer will be mild; and the 
third season still milder. 

How to Cure Rot. Every part of the diseased structure must be cut away, 
cleaning the knife from time to time. This thoroughly accomplished, prepart 
a tank, which is to be filled to a depth of four inches, with a strong, saturated 
solution of suphate of copper, blue vitriol; let each sheep stand in this, heated 
as hot as they can bear, for ten or more minutes, keeping the whole hot by occa- 
sionally splashing a piece of heated iron in it, or adding a quantity of the so- 
lution boiling hot. It is also well to cover the hoof with chloride of lime, and 
fill the cleft of the hoof with a piece of tow long enough so the ends can be 
twisted into a cord to be fastened around the fetlock. This makes a good ban- 
dage. The hoofs should be examined daily for some time and the chloride re- 



132 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

newed if necessary. Keep the sheep in a dry, well-littered yard, or on a dry, 
short pasture, and feed well. If the case is bad, the following tonic given in- 
ternally will be necessary: 

2 Drachms common salt, 
V 2 Drachm sulphate of iron, 
y 2 Drachm nitrate of potash, 
Mix as a powder and give daily. 

FOULS AND TRAVEL SORE. 

These may be cured, the first by washing the cleft of the hoof with warm 
water and applying a strong solution of blue vitriol, and the latter by touching 
the thin places in the hoofs with a feather dipped in oil of vitriol, and smearing 
over with tar. Or, better, prepare the following lotion and use occasionally: 

1 Part solution of chloride of antimony, 
1 Part compound tincture of myrrh. 

GRAVEL. 

Sheep often become graveled. If lame in the least examine them, and cut 
the horn of the hoof to expose the gravel; extract it and cover the wound with 
tar. 

THE BIFLEX CANAL. 

The issue as it is called (biflex canal) in the front and upper part of the 
hoof, sometimes becomes irritated and swollen. Do not follow the advice of 
ignorant persons and "cut out the worm." If any thing is embedded therein, 
extract it. If simply swollen and inflamed, and perhaps ulcerated, lance it in 
two or three places slightly and dress with compound tincture of myrrh. 

MAGGOTY SHEEP. 

Often in hot weather, from one cause or another, flies will lay their eggs, 
either in a wound, or, if the sheep is dirty, in the accumulated dung about the 
thighs. The prevention is cleanliness. Keep the sheep well tagged, that is 
shear the wool from under the sides of the tail, and diagonally thence some 
ways down the thighs. If maggots exist they must be taken out, and the 
wounds touched with 

1 Part creosote, 
4 Parts alcohol. 

An afterwards bathed daily, until relieved, with tincture of myrrh. 
OTHER DISEASES— LUNG-WORMS. 

This disease is caused by the presence of worms, the strongulus filaria, 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 133 

which sometimes make their way into the lungs, but are usually found in the 
windpipe and bronchial tubes and bowels of sheep. If there is dysentery, 
with fetid stools, examine the evacuations and the mucus of the mouth and 
throat for indications of the worms. If there is a husky cough and quickened 
breathing; if the sheep rubs its nose on the ground; if it lose its appetite and 
flesh, prepare the following: 

6 Oz. sulphate of magnesia, 
4 Oz. nitrate of potash. 

Pour on these three pints boiling water, and when the solution is milk 
warm add: 

4 Oz. oil of turpentine, 
Y 2 Oz. bole armeniac. 

Mix well and give two or three tablespoonfuls every other day. 
When worms are supposed to prevail, the following may be made into 
twelve doses, one to be given once in two weeks, as a preventive: 

2 Oz. oil of turpentine, 

2 Oz. powdered gentain, 

2 Oz. laudanum, 

Dissolve in a quart of lime water. 

This is enough for twelve sheep. 

INTESTINAL WORMS. 

The presence of intestinal worms and other parasite affections may be often 
found if shepherds would take the trouble to dissect a dead sheep. When 
found in one, the presumption is good that many are affected, for these para- 
sites seldom appear in individual cases only. As a prevention when feared, 
plenty of salt should be allowed, and then the following preparation to be given 
once in two weeks: 

2 Has. common salt, 

1 lb. sulphate of magnesia, 
x / 2 lb- sulphate of iron, 
y 2 Id. powdered gentain. 
Mix. 

This is sufficient for 80 to 100 sheep to be given in ground feed. 

THE ROT, OR LIVER-FLUKE. 

This is a disease caused by flat worms (Fasciola hepatica) in the liver. If 



134 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

by rubbing the skin of a sheep backward and forward at the small of the back, 
as taken between the thumb and fingers, it is soft and flabby and there is a 
crackling feeling in the fingers, as if there were water underneath; if there is 
weakness and tenderness about the loins; if the belly swells and the eye be- 
comes jaundiced; if there is a diarrhoea, a weak heart and general stupor, and 
no veterinarian is near, isolate the animals in a high, dry pasture, give abund- 
ant and nutritious food and prepare the following: 

y 2 fb. sulphate of magnesia, 
3 Drachms oil of turpentine. 

Mix for a drench, and give every two days, one-third of the quantity at a 
dose. 



N 



CHAPTER XX. 



DISEASES OF SWINE. 

MALIGNANT EPIZOOTIC CATARRH. 

This disease, if it does not originate in filthy yards and putrid pens, is 
amazingly developed there. The poison germs find a congenial home in the 
mucous membrane of such hogs, and in those whose skins are so dirty that the 
natural perspiratory acts cannot take place, so if perspiration be checked during 
the prevalence of this epidemic, or the swine be exposed to sudden changes or 
the chilly air, it will surely predispose them to attacks. 

How to Know It. There is a short, hoarse cough, difficulty of breathing, 
with panting of the flanks. The head is held in a stretched and drooping po- 
sition; there is fever, a stiff, tottering gait, sometimes running at the nose, often 
efforts to vomit, generally constipation, but at times diarrhoea. In this form 
the disease is shown in the dead animal by inflammation of the lining mem- 
brane of the nose and upper parts of the throat, thence to the windpipe and 
lungs, which are more or less solidified. 

A second form of this disease has a short cough, not so pronuonced as in 
the first form, and there is less oppression in breathing, but there is more de- 
cided paralysis in the hind quarters and the gait is more tottering. There is 
at first constipation, followed by a profuse and fetid diarrhoea. 

The disease is spending itself in the stomach and bowels. The animal 
arching its back and especially the loins from the intensity of the pain. The 
brain is often affected so there is partial or total blindness and aimless move- 
ments. So also the glands will be enlarged and sometimes scrofulous ulcers 
will show in different parts of the body. The dead animal shows the lining 
membrane of the intestines inflamed and degenerated. The spleen enlarged, 
dark, and soft; the liver diseased, and often water exudations in the chest and 
belly. The duration in either form is from five to fifteen days. 

What to Do. If the disease has progressed so as to show the latter symp- 



136 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

toms we have described, kill, and bury the animal at once, and deeply. In 
any event separate the animals showing the slightest symptoms from the rest 
of the herd ; and remove the well ones to comfortable and dry and well ventil- 
ated quarters, and give pure water and good, easily digested food. As soon 
as the first symptoms are discovered give an emetic as follows : 

15 to 20 Grains powdered white helebore, 
V 2 Pint milk. 

Mix for a full-grown hog, and let it drink; if it will not, turn it down with 
a horn as previously described. This having vomited the hog, in a couple of 
hours after give two or three grains of tartar emetic, if the trouble is in the 
lungs; if in the bowels, two or three grains of calomel; either medicine to be 
given in the half of a roasted potato or apple if the animal will eat, or to be 
enveloped in tallow or lard and laid on the root of the tongue and the animal 
made to swallow. Repeat the dose twice a day until delief is obtained. Ac- 
cording as the lungs or bowels are affected apply to the sore place the follow- 
ing blistering ointment, heating over a moderate fire for half an hour, and stir- 
ring to mix: 

1 Oz. powdered cantharides, 
4 Oz. olive oil. 

Rub in well and repeat the application if no blister is drawn. If the 
animal improves, give every day for a few clays the following: 

20 Grains sulphate of iron, 
30 Grains carbonate of potash. 

This, when the lungs have been the seat of disease; if in the bowels, omit 
the carbonate of potash. In many cases the liver is torpid, and thus blood pois- 
oning takes place. When the attack commences with copious and dark dis- 
charges from the bowels, give at once : 

20 Grains podophyllin, 
2 Drachms bicarbonate of soda. 

Or, if constipation be present: 

1 Ounce castor oil, 

1 Drachm oil of turpentine. 

Both to be given in a pint of milk or gruel. 

INTESTINAL "HOG CHOLERA." 

In relation to this disease, undoubtedly analogous to the one last described. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 137 

it is a specific contagious fever of swine, attended by congestion, exudation, 
blood extravasation, and ulceration of the membrane of the stomach and bow- 
els. That is, fetid diarrhoea, general heat and redness of the surface, and on 
the skin and mucous membrane spots and patches of a scarlet, purple or black 
color. It is fatal in from one to six days, or ends in a tedious, uncertain re- 
covery. 

How to Know It. Incubation ranges from a week to a fortnight in cold 
weather, to three clays in warm. It is followed by shivering, dullness, prostra- 
tion, hiding under the litter, unwillingness to rise, hot, dry snout, sunken eyes, 
unsteady gait behind, impaired or lost appetite, ardent thirst, increased tem- 
perature (103 degrees to 105 degrees F.), and pulse. With the occurrence of 
heat and soreness of the skin, it is suffused with red patches and black spots, 
the former disappearing on pressure, the latter not. The tongue is thickly 
furred, the pulse small, weak and rapid, the breathing accelerated and a hard, 
dry cough is frequent. Sickness and vomiting may be present, the animal 
grunts or screams if the belly is handled, the bowels may be costive throughout, 
but more commonly they become relaxed about the third day and an exhausting 
fetid diarrdoea ensues. Lymph and blood may pass with the dung. Before 
death the patient loses control of the hind limbs, and is often sunk in complete 
stupor, with muscular trembling, jerking, and copious and involuntary motions 
of the bowels. 

Causes. It is mainly propagated by contagion, though faults in diet and 
management serve to develop it. The infection is virulent, and may, it is sup- 
posed, be communicated by the wind, and is with difficulty destroyed in hog- 
pens, fodder, bedding and other articles of contact. 

What to Do. Treatment should not be permissible, unless in a constantly 
disinfected atmosphere. Feed barley or rye, or in case these raise the fever, 
corn starch made with boiling water; give to drink fresh cool water, slightly 
acidulated with sulphuric acid. For the early constipation give a mild laxa- 
tive (castor oil, rhubarb), to be followed up with nitrate of potassa and bi- 
sulphate of soda, of each 20 grains at a dose. If the patient survives the 
first few days and shows signs of ulceration of the bowels, by bloody dung, or 
tenderness of the belly, give oil of turpentine fifteen to twenty drops night and 
morning. Follow up with tonics and careful feeding. 

PREVENTION. 

Kill and bury the diseased; thoroughly disinfect all they have come in 
contact with; watch the survivors for the first sign of illness. Test all sus- 
picious subjects by means of a clinical thermometer introduced in the rectum, 



138 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

and separate from the herd if it shows 103 or more degrees Fahrenheit. And 
as soon as distinct signs of the disease are shown kill and bury deep. Feed 
vegetable or animal charcoal, bisulphate of soda, carbolic acid or sulphate of 
iron to the healthy swine, and avoid all suspected food or places or even water 
which has run near a diseased herd. All newly purchased pigs should be 
placed at a safe distance in quarantine, under separate attendants, until their 
health has been surely established as sound. 

CONTAGIOUS PNEUMO-ENTERITIS. 

This disease known commonly also as "hog cholera," "purple," "blue 
disease," etc., is a contagious inflammation of the lungs and bowels, accom- 
panied with red and purple blotches of the skin, the last described being one of 
the relative forms of this disease. 

Its Origin. It is supposed to be extremes of temperature and wet seasons, 
feeding on low or swampy soils, impure water, filtlfy feeding pens. Whether 
these causes originate the disease or not they incline the system to infections 
from the subtle poison due to a minute vegetable organism, found in the serous 
fluids, and tissues of animals infected. The disease will disappear if proper 
sanitary means are used, protection from the sun and rain, well ventilated quar- 
ters, and clean bedding, often renewed, with pure water and wholesome food. 
We have been thus particular to intensify what we have repeatedly said, clean- 
liness and care. 

How to Know It. There two principal symptomatic forms which are im- 
portant to be noticed, as follows: 

The Erysipelatous Form. The animal at first is dull, loses his appetite, 
lies down and moves unwillingly. He hangs his head, and sometimes makes 
efforts to vomit. The bowels at this time are generally constipated, the excre- 
ment being hard and dark colored; cough and difficult urination. 

The next day or in a few hours, even, the characteristic symptom of the 
disease shows itself. This consists in the appearance of dark red or purple 
blotches, passing into a bluish-black color. Once seen, they cannot be mis- 
taken. Their most frequent seats are the ears, throat, neck, breast and inside 
the forelegs. If he is a white hog the discolorations are very visible. With 
these there is often a discharge from the nose of a dark purple fluid. Soon his 
breathing becomes panting and labored; he is palsied in his hind quarters, and 
if he is driven up runs reeling with his hind legs and his head dropped to the 
ground. At this stage a fetid diarrhoea sometimes sets in. The fatal termina- 
tion is reached in one or three days. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 139 

The Form with Malignant Sore Throat. The general symptoms at the com- 
mencement are the same; and the appearance of the throat has that same deep 
red, passing into dark purple hue, which we have just noticed in the erysipela- 
tous variety. But the obstructions to the functions of breathing and swallow- 
ing naturally produce a train of characteristic symptoms not seen in the former 
case. There are attempts to vomit, difficulty in swallowing, and labored breath- 
ing from the first, the sensation of choking being so distressing that the animal 
will sit on its haunches, like a dog, gasping for breath, opening its mouth wide, 
and protruding a livid and swollen tongue. Sometimes the swelling about the 
larynx is so sudden and considerable that the animal is choked to death in less 
than an hour, and before hardly any other symptom has had time to manifest 
itself (oedema of the larynx). 

What to Do. The cheapest remedy with animals distinctly attacked, is to 
kill at once, and bury deeply out of sight, to prevent contagion. If the animals 
are valuable, isolate them from all danger of spreading the contagion; give 
two to three ounces of castor oil, and as soon as it operates, give twenty grains 
of nitrate of potash, and twenty grains nitrate of soda — mixed for a dose — two 
or three times a day. Give also powdered charcoal in the drink, and if the 
bowels are swollen and tender give twenty drops of turpentine in a little gruel, 
as may be needed, Or, 

10 Grains powdered camphor, 

1 Drachm nitrate of potash, 
5 Grains calomel. 

Mix and give in a little gruel three times a day, omitting the calomel. Af- 
ter the third dose, try; 

2 lbs. flowers of sulphur, 
2 rbs. sulphate of iron, 

2 Ids. madder, 
y 2 lb. black antimony, 
V 2 lb. nitrate of potash, 

2 Oz. arsenic. 

Mix with twelve gallons of slop, and give a pint to each hog; this quantity 
being for 100 hogs. 

Our best word of advice is, if the affected hogs cannot be made to take 
the remedies in their food or drink, since it is a question of profit and loss it 
is cheapest and most humane to kill and bury quickly and deeply. We have 
never found any remedy effective once it assumes a malignant form. Unfor- 
tunately, there are too many careless or pennywise persons who will not kill, and 
who constantly sprad contagious diseases. 



140 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

QUINSY, OR STRANGLES. 

This is a disease quite common and fatal. It is an inflammation of the 
glands of the throat (tonsils) and often kills quickly through suffocation. If 
in feeding them there be found difficulty in swallowing, or protrusion of the 
tongue, and slavering from the mouth, and if there be a swelling under the 
neck and lower jaw, lose no time, cast the pig so he may be held firmly and 
wet with hot water and partially wrung out, repeatedly applied, cover the 
parts with cloths to reduce the inflammation while an assistant prepares the 
following injection: 

4 Oz. sulphate of magnesia, 

2 Drachms oil of turpentine, 
y 2 Pint soap suds. 
Mix. 

With a feather fastened to a small rod, the hog's mouth being held open, 
swab the tonsils and inside of the throat as far as can be reached, with equal 
parts of lard oil and turpentine, or if the hog will eat, give doses of two tea- 
spoonfuls each in a pint of gruel. 

RISING OF THE LIGHTS. 

This is the name applied to an ordinary cold. To cure this, keep the 
animal warm, feed well, and rub mustard, moistened with vinegar, on the throat 
and chest. If it does not yield, give an ounce of tar daily, by putting a slip 
noose over the snout, opening the mouth, and placing the tar well back on the 
tongue with a narrow wooden paddle. 

PNEUMONIA. 

The symptoms of inflammation of the lungs are, quick and laborious breath- 
ing, loss of appetite, shivering of body and limbs, more or less severe cough; 
and the animal will not eat. The remedy is to keep the animal thoroughly 
warm and quiet. Rub the preparation of mustard and vinegar on the chest. 
and give internally: 

2 Drachms nitrate of potash, 
2 Drachms bisulphate of soda. 

Mix in a pint of gruel if the animal will eat. If not turn down from a 
horn. 

CATARRH IN THE HEAD. 

Commonly called snuffles. Give the animal a clean, dry, warm pen. and feed 
and water well; soft food being preferable. 

LICE. 

If lice are found on swine, it is a sign that something is wrong. TVe have 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 141 

never seen them on well conditioned SAvine. When they occur from any cause, 
sponge the animal freely with crude petroleum, or kerosene, and give a little 
sulphate of iron (copperas) one quarter drachm a day, in the food. Let the 
food also be ample and nourishing. Another efficient and safe remedy for kill- 
ing lice is Scotch snuff, rubbed up with lard, and applied where the lice are 
found. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Diarrhoea! affections often attack young pigs during their sucking season, 

generally in first week of their life — and often causes their death. Usually the 

cause is due to diseased milk of the sow either from bad food or other causes. 

If so, change the food. In any case, the remedial means must be used with the 

sow. Place charcoal and salt where sow and pigs may get it, and prepare the 

following powder: 

2 Pounds fenugreek, powdered, 
2 Pounds anise seed, powdered, 

1 Pound gentain, powdered, 

2 Ounces carbonate of soda, 
2 Pounds carbonate of soda, 
2 Pounds chalk, powdered. 

Give a table-spoonful of this in the food, every time the sow is fed. 

From what we have said the reader will easily perceive that we have not 
much faith in remedial means in contagious diseases of swine. The same holds 
good with any animal when once the disease is pronounced, and of a malignant 
type — unless the animal be so valuable that it will pay to call a veterinary 
surgeon. Even then in the malignant forms of the diseases described, and 
which are known under the popular misnomer of "Hog Cholera," killing and 
burying is the cheapest and altogether the most humane. The danger of spread- 
ing; the difficulty of isolation; and the next to impossibility of treating a hog 
too sick to eat, but never too sick to be contrary, or resist to the full extent of 
their power, and the ordinarily small cost of swine per head should be well con- 
sidered in the treatment of swine. Use proper discretion in treating them, but 
do not hesitate a moment in killing, when the disease is malignant. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



DISEASES OF FOWLS, AND REMEDIES. 

There are but few diseases to which fowls are subject. Some of these, as 
apoplexy, are so sudden and fatal that there is scarcely time for remedies. Oth- 
ers, as so-called chicken cholera, are malignant and infectious, and thus require 
watching. Others again, inflammatory in their nature, are difficult to under- 
stand and hence difficult to treat. The general run of diseases, however, to 
which the fowls of the farmer and suburban fancier are liable to in his flock, 
are, as a rule, simple in their nature and of easy treatment. We shall, there- 
fore, divide diseases into but two divisions — dangerous and simple ailments. In 
the first class will be considered those more fatal, and in the second class mere 
ailments, as leg weakness, bumble foot, catarrh, diarrhoea, pip, lice and other 
parasites. 

ROUP. 

The symptoms are at first those of severe catarrh. The discharge loses 
its thin, watery, transparent character, gets opaque, with a peculiar and offen- 
sive smell. The inner corner of the eye contains froth, the lids swell, stick to- 
gether and at last close. The nostrils close from the same accumulation; the 
sides of the face swell and the bird dies. It is a disease of the lining membrane 
of the nasal cavities. 

To Cure. Provide warm, dry, well-ventilated quarters, stimulating and nu- 
tritious food. Give internally a tea or a table-spoonful cf castor oil, according 
to the sixe of the fowl, syringe the nostrils with chloride of soda, two parte water 
to one part of chloride. Inject by inserting the syringe in the slit at the roof of 
the mouth. Three or four hours after the oil give the following: 

% Ounce balsam copabia, 
y 2 Ounce liquorice powder. 
Y 2 Drachm piperine. 

Divide into thirty doses, enclose each in a little gelatine, and give a dose 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 143 

twice a day. Isolate the sick fowl from all others, and kill promptly if they do 
not yield to treatment. 

EGG BOUND. 

In this disability the eggs cannot pass down the passage. Strip a tail feath- 
er to within an inch of the end; saturate it thoroughly in lard oil or sweet oil, 
-and pass it carefully up the passage to the egg, lubricating the whole. If relief 
is not given, repeat the process. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE EGG PASSAGE. 

Symptoms. There will be general feverishness, dullness, and the feathers, 
especially those over the back, will be raised and ruffled. Give the following: 

1 Grain calomel, 

1-12 Grain tartar emetic. 

Mix; envelop in gelatine and place well back on the root of the tongue until 
swallowed. If relief does not ensue in two days, give another dose. 

CHOLERA. 

Symptoms. There is sudden and great thirst with diarrhoea; the evacua- 
tions are greenish, but soon change to a whitish character; cramp ensues and 
the bird totters, falls, and often dies suddenly. Administer every three hours, 
until relief is obtained, the following: 

5 Grains rhubarb, 
2 Grains cayenne pepper, 
10 Drops laudanum. 

Give this at a dose for large fowls, and half this quantity to chickens two 
months old. Between each dose keep up the strength by giving a tea-spoonfui 
of brandy and water, half and half. This is also good for common diarrhoea, 
omitting the brandy. 

GAPES. 

Parasitic worms in the windpipe, occurring in chickens up to two or three 
months of age. 

How to Cure. Separate the chickens affected; strip a small quill feather 



144 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

to within half an inch of the end. Dip in spirits of turpentine; pass it down 
the small opening of the windpipe at the base of the tongue; turn it once or 
twice around and draw it out. If it does not relieve operate again next day. 
Give a warm, dry place, plenty of good food, and for drink, milk well sprinkled 
with black pepper. It is supposed that the gape worm is produced by a small 
parasite insect resembling a tick found on the heads of young chickens. Ex- 
amine the heads with a pocket lens and if found use the following, lightly 
rubbed on: 

1 Ounce mercurial ointment, 

1 Ounce lard oil, 
y% Ounce flowers of sulphur, 
y 2 Ounce crude petroleum. 

Mix, and apply just warm enough to be melted. It is said that a case of 
gapes has never been found in which the young chickens were not first infected 
with the tick parasite. 

BLACK ROT. 

Swelling of the legs and feet, the comb black, resembling mortification. 
Give a tea-spoonful of castor oil, and then daily, until relieved, half a tea-spoon- 
ful of flowers of sulphur. This is also good in scaly leg, and eruptions of vari- 
ous kinds, using also, after washing clean, the following: 

4 Ounces lard oil, 

1 Ounce turmeric powder. 

Annoint the affected parts. 

CATARRH. 

Symptoms like the first in Roup. Cleanliness is the best prevention. To 
cure, feed black pepper in mashed potatoes. If this fails, take: 

3 Parts pulverized charcoal, 
3 Parts new yeast, 
2 Parts flowers of sulphur, 
1 Part flour. 

Mix into pills the size of a hazelnut and give one, three times a day: bathe 
the nostrils and eyes frequently with tepid milk and water, and keep the fowls 
otherwise clean. 

CROP BOUND. 

The food sometimes becomes bound and impacted in the crop. The remedy 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 145 

is to make an incision into the crop sufficiently large so the contents may be care- 
fully extracted with a blunt instrument. Close with a stitch, and feed with 
soft food for two or three days, in which a little gentian and cayenne pepper 
is mixed. 

DIPHTHERIA, OR CROUP. 

It may be known by the cough, raising of the head to breathe, and the of- 
fensive smell. 

What to Do. Strip a feather to within half an inch of the end; wet it and 
dip in powdered borax, and swab the throat well. Give to drink, chloride of 
potassium, one-fourth of an ounce dissolved in a half -gallon of water. 

Preventive. Cleanliness, good ventilation and care. The rule will apply to 
roup( catarrh, gapes, pip, and other acute and chronic diseases. 

PIP. 

This is a result of other diseases rather than a disease of itself. Remove 
the crust at the tip of the tongue and wash with chloride of soda, examine the 
nostrils for any stoppage, and give a tea-spoonful of castor oil if the fowl be 
very sick. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Cause. Exposure to damp and cold winds, and bad roosting places; remove 
the fowls to comfortable quarters, and feed warm, rather soft, stimulating food. 

LAYING SOFT EGGS. 

Give plenty of lime rubbish, burned and broken oyster shells, or bone meal. 

LICE. 

There should be no excuse for infestment by these parasites. They will 
sometimes make their appearance on new fowls, and setting hens will some- 
times contract them. They are of two kinds: the common hen louse, and minute 
"hen spider," so-called. The latter very minute and infesting every part of 
the house, and often the horse stables, if the hens are allowed to run there. To 
rid the house, take out every removeable article and wash thoroughly with car- 
bolic acid and water, or with the ammoniacal water of gas factories, which is 
cheap. Wash also every portion of the house with the same. Or, fumigate by 
closing every crevice, and burning in an iron pot containing a burning hot stone, 
half the size of a amn's head, a pound of roll brimstone, keeping the house 
closed two or three hours. Then wash every part of the house with lime-wash in 



146 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

which a pound of potash has been dissolved to each quart of water used in thin- 
ning the wash. "Wash also the furniture, nests, perches, and all else with the 
potash solution, one pound to a quart of water. Put back the furniture, place 
fresh hay in the boxes, plenty of dust baths near, and the lice will leave the 
fowls and die. In case the stable becomes infested, or other places that may 
be fumigated, wash with potash solution, or the lime wash, containing one part 
in twenty of carbolic acid. 



CHAPTER XXII 



DISEASES OF DOGS AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



TREATMENT OF ASTHMA. 

Asthma in dogs is oft times hereditary, especially in house and pet dogs, 
and may be brought about by indigestion or irritation of the stomach. A sudden 
change of weather will bring it on. Fat dogs are especially prone to it; the 
symptoms are: thick heavy breathing, a hollow, husky bark, much panting, and 
great constipation. Begin with low diet and administer: 

Charcoal, 1 scruple, 
Iron, 10 grains. 

in a pill three times a week. Exercise and keep bowels moved with castor-oil 
twice a week until relieved. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Is caused by neglected colds, cold, damp kennels, want of care after re- 
turning from wet hunting grounds, etc., and may be known by a continuous 
wheezing dry cough, which at times causes an effort to and brings vomiting, the 
expectoration being frothy and mixed with blood, the eye inflamed, and the 
nose dry; the tongue parched, with the pulse quick. In the beginning of the 
attack give the dog a warm kennel where there are no draughts, and dose with 
1 to 3 grains tartar emetic, according to size of the animal. If this does not 
check give spirits of camphor ^ oz., spirits of ether nit., 1 ounce, ext. liquorice 
4 oxs. ; a teaspoonful for small dog three times a day, and three times the 
amount for large dog three times daily. Feed with warm broths and bread and 
milk. 

COMMON COLD. 

Is known by sudden chilliness with heated surface of the body, quick pulse 



148 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

and hurried breathing. The appetite fails, bowels are costive, and urine high 
colored. Very often there is a slight cough, and a running from the eyes and 
nose, which is hot and dry. Cause, exposure or sudden checking of the tem- 
perature of the body. For treatment give a dose once a day of: 

Podophyllin, % grain, 
Ext. colocynth, 12 to 18 grains, 
Powdered rhubarb, 3 to 5 grains, 
Oil of Cloves, 2 drops. 

INFLUENZA. 

Is difficult to distinguish from common cold; the running of nose and eyes 
is more copious and continued, cough severer and fever higher. Administer 
dose as for common cold, and if not relieved give bolus of: 

Ipecacuanha, y 2 to iy 2 grains, 
Rhubarb, 1 to 2 grains, 
Powdered opium, 1 to iy 2 grains, 
Compound squill pill, 1 to 2 grains. 

Give night and morning. Keep in dry comfortable kennel indoors, and feed 
on light diet. 

PLEURISY. 

Is an inflammation of the membrane of the lungs caused by debility, cold or 
inflammation of the neighboring textures, and sometimes by wounds, or a severe 
beating of the body. It is ushered in by shivering and quick breathing, inspir- 
ation especially short, caused by the pain occasioned by the movement of the 
ribs. A dry cough is present, fever, nose hot, tongue slimy, eyes watery, pulse 
hard. The dog sits on his hind querters, with his forelegs stretched apart, as 
if to close them caused pressure and pain. Administer: 

Spts. aether, nit., 2 ounces, 
Liq. ammonia acetat., 4 ounces. 

A teaspoonful every four hours, mixed with double the amount of linseed 
tea for a small dog; twice the quantity of each for large dog. 
Apply counter irritants of mustard plaster to chest. 

PNEUMONIA. 

Is brought about by exposure likewise, and oftentimes by the animal not 
being thoroughly dried and protected from the cold after washing in warm 
water. The dog is seen to shiver greatly; this shivering is followed by high 
fever, pulse rapid, breathing quickened, accompanied with a short cough, eyes 
blood-shot. Treat the same as in pleurisy, especially the counter irritants. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 149 

CONSUMPTION. 

Is hereditary in the dog as in man." Close confinement will bring it on, as 
will bad food, and excessive in and in breeding; it sometimes follows dis- 
temper. All that can be done is to keep up the strength of the dog with cod- 
liver oil and iron and good diet, avoiding a damp or cold kennel. 

RHEUMATIC FEVER. 

Dogs frequently have rheumatism, especially hunting dogs, and it is always 
accompanied with more or less fever; damp kennels often cause it. Its signs 
are as follows: there is considerable fever, but of not very high character; the 
pulse is quick with shivering except when touched, when the slightest approach 
will cause a shriek apparently from pain. A good treatment is first a dose of 
physic of: 

Calomel, 3 to 5 grains, 
Jalap, 10 to 20 grains. 

Mixed with syrup and made into a bolus. 
And follow, after it has operated, with: 

Calomel, 1 grain, 
Powdered opium, 1 grain, 
Powdered colchicum, 2 to 3 grains. 

And syrup enough to make one pill. 

This is a dose for an average dog. The animal may be rubbed with any 
approved liniment where the pain seems to be present, and his diet be made 
a low one. 

DISTEMPER. 

The great majority of dogs are attacked with distemper about the time they 
are casting their milk teeth, or a short time after they have gained their second; 
but few animals escape it. An ordinary course of an attack of distemper is as 
follows: great dullness with loss of appetite, followed in a day or two by a 
husky cough, especially showing itself after exercise; a sneezing is now noticed, 
strength and flesh rapidly diminish, the stools are inky and offensive, the urine 
becomes very high colored, and the membranes of the eye and sometimes the 
whites are greatly inflamed. Some cases of distemper seem to be confined prin- 
cipally to the head, another to the chest and the third the bowels. When the 
brain is attacked the eyes show increased mucus discharge as the disease pro- 
gresses. These are the general symptoms which intensify to the third, fourth or 
fifth week, when the dog dies from disease of the brain, lungs, bowels or ex- 



150 THE FARMERS ' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

haustion. When the head is attacked there may or may not be a running from 
the nose. A fit is most always the surest sign of brain trouble, and when this 
takes place more than twice, the distemper generally proves fatal, or the animal 
is ever afterwards affected with chorea, or the jerks. If the lungs be involved 
v here is rapid breathing, cough, and profuse running from the eyes and nose. If 
this runs into inflammation of the lungs the danger is as great as if the head 
was affected. The bowels are sometimes seized and show by black purgings that 
these organs are involved, very often in this stage discharges of blood quickly 
carry a dog off. The best general treatment for distemper is as follows. At 
the commencement of the attack: 

Syrup of buckthorn, 2 ounces, 
Syrup of poppy, 1 ounce. 

A tablespoonful once or twice at intervals of two days. And a fever mix- 
ture as follows: 

Niter, 1 Drachm, 

Spts. of niter, 3 drachms, 

Midererous spirit, 1 ounce, 

Camphor mixture, %y 2 ounces, 

Two table-spoonfuls every six hours. 

If the lungs are severely attacked, a powder must be put upon the dog's 
tongue every night and morning of: 

Niter in powder, 3 to 5 grains, 
Tartar emetic, *4 grain. 

And a cough bolus of: 

Ipecacunaha in powder, y 2 to 1% grains, 
Powdered rhubarb, 1 to 2 grains, 
Purified opium, % to l 1 ^ grains, 
Compound squill pill, 1 to 2 grains. 

Administered every night and morning. If diarrhoea shows itself check 
it with: 

Prepared chalk, 2 to 3 drachms, 
Aromatic confection, 1 drachm, 
Laudanum, 3 to 8 drachms, 
Powdered gum arabic, 2 drachms, 
Water 7 ounces. 

Two tablespoonfuls every time the bowels are relaxed. 

For a diet, beef tea thickened with rice can be given, and for a time when 
the dog shows great exhaustion, a mixture of tincture of bark 2 ounces, de- 
coction of yellow bark 14 ounces, a tablespoonful 3 times a day to a large dog, 
should be administered ; especially at the time of exhaustion should good strong 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 151 

beef tea with the white of an egg broken into it while it is lukewarm, be given 
by spoon every two or three hours. And if the animal will not swallow it, his 
head should be held up and he should be forced to. If this troublesome plan 
of feeding is attended to, many a valuable dog can be saved to his owner. As 
strength gradually returns the diet can be made stronger, with care followed to 
allow no exercise until a gain is well established, and strength greatly restored 
for fear of a relapse. The kennel during distemper should be dry and moderate- 
ly warm, and in a position wher the dog will not be exposed to draughts of air. 
Finely bred animals suffer the greatest, especially those that are much in and 
in bred, when the malady many times attacks the brain, which is the most dan- 
gerous seat of the disease. Fit after fit takes place and the dog is carried off 
by them. Some seasons distemper appears to be epidemic and is more severe 
and fatal in its effects, and scarcely a dog in certain sections escape. Dog shows 
are a great means for spreading the disease, and it is advisable not to enter an 
animal until he has had the disease. Distemper can be had twice, but it is 
seldom a dog is attacked more than once. 

TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 

Inflammation of the stomach or gastritis is brought about by improper food, 
foreign substance in the stomach or poison. When a dog is suffering from this 
complaint he makes frequent and violent efforts to vomit, and has great thirst, 
dry and hot nose and quick respiration, and will ofttimes lie on the floor, or 
pavement, or ground with his belly in contact with it as if to allay the pain. 

Give 

Calomel, 1 grain, 

Opium, 1 grain, 

In pill every three hours. 

And feed if he will take it with light soup and gruel. Gastritis and dyspepsia 
are much alike and may be treated the same. Continue easily digested food in 
dyspepsia; the peculiar posture described is not noticed in the latter complaint. 

TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 

Sporting dogs frequently have this affliction, especially when they have 
been exposed to cold and wet. Animals having little exercise ofttimes are at- 
tacked owing to torpidity of the liver, which many times runs into this com- 
plaint. The whites of the eyes in this disease are yellow. Shivering, hot noses, 
rapid breathing, costiveness, weak pulse anl scanty clay colored stools are also 
accompanying symptoms. The dog should be given a pill of: 



152 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Podophyllin, y 2 grain, 
Ext. of colocynth, 12 to 18 grains, 
Powdered rhubarb, 3 to 5 grains, 
Oil of cloves, 2 drops. 

The greater proportion for large dogs and less for small dogs. 

As soon as this has operated rub the right side with an embrocation of: 

Strong mustard, 3 to 5 ounces, 

Liquid ammonia, 1 ounce, 
Spts. turpentine, 1 ounce. 

At the same time give a pill: 

Opium, 1 grain, 
Calomel, 1 grain. 

And keep bowels open with castor oil. 

TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 

It is generally caused by constipation or a great amount of indigestible 
food, and may be known by great thirst and loss of appetite, and the peculiar 
attitude the animal takes; his back arched and his legs drawn together. It may 
be relieved by calomel and opium in doses of 1 grain each every 3 to 4 hours. 
If severe, bathe the dog in warm water, and after he is well dried, rub his belly 
with a liniment of V2 ounce each of spirits of turpentine, liquor ammonia and 
laudanum. Feed with very light and easily digested food. 

MANGE. 

Mange is a skin disease in dogs arising from filth, damp kennels, hous- 
ing in cellars and parasites; the disease is of different varieties. First the 
blotch, which appears in scaly lumps of hide chiefly on the back, sides, head 
and quarters, and in a few days the scab drops off, leaving a moist red spot. 

Give: 

Calomel, 3 to 5 grains, 
Jalap, 10 to 20 grains. 

Keep on low diet and give exercise. Secondly the foul mange, which is brought 
about by impure blood, and cannot be cured until it is changed. It is con- 
sidered hereditary though not contagious. In foul mange the skin becomes 
thick and discharges an offensive matter, and finally runs into ulcers, with great 
itching all the time; the hair becomes dead and falls out, and the animal is 
nervous and irritable. To cure requires patience and ofttimes long treatment 
Change the diet at once, give no meat, starve the dog until he will accept oat- 
meal mush with boiled vegetables freely mixed with it, then administer liquor 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 153 

. ' -** 
arsenicalis with the food, one drop to each four pounds in weight of the dog 
three times daily, dividing the food into three portions for morning, noon and 
night. This must be kept up until itching ceases, and very often continued for 
months. Cosmoline may then be rubbed on the mangy skin thrice daily. 

Red mange is a disease of the hair, and may be known by the red ap- 
pearance always at the roots in spots, at the elbows under the arms and inside 
of them, also inside the thighs. An ointment for red mange, of the following, 
well rubbed into the spots, is good: 

Green iodide of mercury, iy 2 drachms, 
Spts. of turpentine, 2 drachms, 
Lard, l 1 ^ ounces. 

A wash of carbolic acid 1 part to water 30 parts, and plain cosmoline is 
efficacious also. 

CANKER OF THE EAR. 

Whenever a dog is seen to shake his head continually, and frequently scratch 
his ear, endavoring to relieve an apparent inward itching of that organ, it is 
generally safe to conclude he has the canker. Sometimes the tips or edges are 
first affected, and the inflammation will, if not then arrested, gradually extend 
to the interior, which when attacked discharges offensive matter. Hunting dogs, 
especially water dogs, are subject to canker. To cure, place on low diet, and 
syringe the ear, first having washed it out with lukewarm water, with a weak 
solution of: 

Nitrate of silver, 2 to 6 grains, 
Water, 1 ounce. 

according to size of dog; the first day, and on the second drop into the ear: 

Green iodide of mercury, 1 drachm, 
Melted lard 8 drachms. 

Alternate these until relief is had. If there are any sores on the edges of 
the ear, touch them with blue stone. 

FLEAS AND LICE. 

Make a stiff lather that will stand alone of strong rosin soap; rub it thor- 
oughly into the hair and all over the body, being careful of the eyes, and let it 
dry on the dog and remain an hour. Then wash off, and the water will carry 
the dead fleas and lice with it. This is safe and most certain. 

Persian insect powder is best for young puppies. 



154 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

CHOREA OR JERKS. 

This disease, often called St. Vitus' dance, cannot be mistaken in a dog 
when he is afflicted. He will have either a continual jerking movement of the 
paws, head, shoulders or foreleg, intensified when asleep. It often follows dis- 
temper and cannot be cured. The animal's general health does not seem to 
be affected by it, but it renders him unfit for very hard work. It evidently 
affects his power of scenting to a degree. Keep from exposure to wet and cold, 
and give a tonic when very nervous of: 

Sulph. of zinc, 2 to 5 grains, 
Ext. of gentian, 2 grains, 
3 times a day. 

FITS. 

They are of three kinds. 1st. Those arising from irritation (frequently 
worms), and the majority of times in puppies. 2nd Those caused by brain 
troubles. 3d. Epilepsy. Fits resulting from irritation come on at the age 
when puppies begin to cut their teeth. A hot bath will check them. Apoplec- 
tic fits are generally fatal. The dog does not foam at the mouth in these, but 
lies quite still on his side and breathes heavily. 

Epileptic fits are known by the frothing at the mouth and a champing of 
the jaws. These can be cut short by an injection of five drops ether to an ounce 
of warm water. Give also two grains bromide of potassium twice a day for three 
or four weeks. 

WORMS. 

There are three kinds of worms that infest the stomach of a dog. 1st The 
maw worm, of a white color, about an inch long. 2nd. The round worm, 4 to 
7 inches long, pointed at both ends. 3rd. The tape-worm, often growing a 
number of feet in length, and composed of many small links or joints. When 
a dog is troubled with worms his coat becomes harsh and dead in appearance. 
He is costive and loose at times, and his stool is generally mixed with a white 
slimy mucus. His appetite is ravenous, yet sometimes poor. He seems to 
derive no benefit from his food, and may be seen to swallow small pieces of dirt, 
ashes, rags or sticks, in order, as it were, to force the worms from the stomach. 

An infallible cure for the maw and round worm is a dose each day of ver- 
mifuge on an empty stomach, followed in two hours with castor. This vermi- 
fuge is composed of male fern and santonime. Another good remedy is pow- 
dered areca nut — half of an average-sized nut made fine to a dog 30 pounds in 
weight, given each day, as much as can be held on a 25 cent piece, on an empty 
stomach, followed in two hours by castor oil. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 155 

A good expellent for tape worm is 3 to 10 drops of turpentine according 
to the size of the dog in a teaspoonful of oil, having well fasted the animal. 

RICKETS OR LARGE JOINTS 

are caused by defective bone substance. Cod liver oil and phosphate of lime 
(the combination can be readily purchased) will remedy. Dose, dessert spoon- 
ful three times daily for a large dog, a teaspoonful three times a day for a small 
dog. A young dog with rickets should have ample exercise. A want of it aids 
is bringing on the disease. 

PUERPERAL FITS. 

Sometimes after a mother has given birth to a litter of puppies and about 
the time she begins to suckle them, she is taken with spasms or puerperal fits. 
When this occurs, place her at once in a hot bath, and immerse all except the 
head. This is, in the majority of time, unfailing in its effect. 

PROTRACTED LABOR. 

A healthy bitch very seldom has troble in giving birth to a litter. The 
time may be prolonged in some and short in others, but, as a rule, it is best to 
allow nature to have its course. If, however, assistance is absolutely needed, a 
gentle manipulation may be made, and a few drops of ergot administered. 

SPRAINS. 

Rub the injured part with: 

Malt vinigar, 1 ounce, 

Spirits vini et camp, 2 ounces, 

Aqua, 7 ounces. 

TO HARDEN TENDER FEET. 

Bathe the feet daily in a solution of white oak bark and alum. Every other 
day rub into the soles cosmoline. 



CHAPTER XX111 



SOME VALUABLE RECIPES. 



Horse Ointment.— Resin, 4 ozs.; beeswax, 4 ozs.; lard, 8 ozs.; honey, 2 ozs. 
Melt these articles slowly, gently bringing to a boil and as it begins to boil, 
remove from the fire and slowly add a little less than a pint of spirits of tur- 
pentine, stirring all the time this is being added, and stir until cool. 

This is an extraordinary ointment for bruises, in flesh or hoof, broken in 
knees, galled backs, bites, cracked heels, etc., etc.; or when a horse is gelded, 
to heal and keep away flies. It is excellent to take fire out of burns or scalds. 

Condition Powders.— Fenugreek, cream of tartar, gentian, sulphur, salt- 
peter, resin, black antimony, and ginger, equal quantities of each, say 1 oz.; all 
to be finely pulverized; cayenne, also fine, y 2 oz. Mix thoroughly. 

Cathartic Condition Powder.— Gamboge, alum, saltpeter, resin, copperas, 
ginger, aloes, gum-myrrh, salts, and salt, and if the horse is in a very low con- 
dition, put in wormwood, all the same quantities, viz., 1 oz. each. DOSE.— One 
tablespoon in bran, twice daily; not given any other grain for a few days; then 
once a day, with good feed. 

This last is more applicable for old worn down horses which need cleaning 
out and starting into new life, and is such cases, just the thing to be desired. 

English Stable Liniment.— Oil of spike, aqua ammonia, and oil of turpen- 
tine, of each 2 ounces; sweet oil and oil of amber, of each, V/ 2 ozs.; oil of or- 
ganum, 1 oz. Mix. 

Call this good for anything, and always keep it in the stable as a strong 
liniment. 

Hoof Ointment.— Take resin, 4 ozs.; beeswax, 6 ozs.; lard. 2 lbs.; melt to- 
gether, pour it into a pot, add turpentine, 3 ozs.; finely powdered verdigris, 2 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 157 

ozs. ; tallow, 1 lb. —stir all until it gets cold. This is one of the best medicines 
for the hoof ever used. It is good for corks or bruises of the feet. 

Hoof Liquid.— For tender feet, hoof bound, etc. Linseed oil or neatsfoot 
oil, i/ 2 pt., of either ; turpentine, 4 ozs. ; oil of tar 6 ounces ; organum, 13 ounces ; 
shake this well and apply it. This is the best if the horse has been lame long— it 
penetrates- the hoof sooner than the ointment— both of them should be applied 
at night. 

White Ointment.— For rheumatism, sprains, burns, swellings, bruises, or any 
inflammation. Take fresh butter, 2 lbs. ; tincture of iodine, % oz. ; oil of organ- 
urn, 2 ozs.; mix well for fifteen minutes and it is fit for use; apply it every night; 
rub it in well with your hand. 

Black Liniment.— This is good to apply on poll evil and fistula. Take lin- 
seed oil, 1/2 pt, ; tincture of iodine, 3 ozs. ; turpentine, 4 ozs. ; oil of origanum, 1 
oz.; shake all well and apply it every day; rub it in well with your hand; wash 
the part clean with soap and water before applying. This is good for any 
swelling. 

Eye Water— For Horses and Cattle— Alcohol, 1 table-spoon; sugar of lead, 
1 teaspoonful; rain water y 2 pint. 

Wash the eye freely two or three times daily. 

Ointment.— Resin, 4 ozs.; beeswax, 3 ozs; hog's lard, y 2 lb.; common tur- 
pentine, 6 ozs.; dissolve in a pipkin with gentle heat; then add 2 ozs. of fine 
verdigris, stir well together, and strain the whole through a coarse cloth; cool 
for use. This is a good ointment for a wound or bruise in flesh or hoof, broken 
knees, galled hocks, bites cracked heels, mallenders, or, when a horse is gelded, 
to heal and keep off the flies. 

Cordial for a Horse. — If the horse is weak through travel, give him a pint 
cf warm ale, with 1 oz. of diapente in it. Diapente will comfort his bowels, 
drive out cold and wind, and may cause him to carry his food the longer. Dia- 
pente is composed of gentian root, bay berries, bay leaves, birthwort, mint and 
myrrh. 

Muscle Liniment.— Oil of origanum, 1 oz.; alcohol, y 2 pint; oil of cedar, i/ 2 
oz. ; turpentine, y 2 oz. ; olive oil, 8 ozs. Shake all well. This is used for almost 
all complaints of the muscles. This is especially valuable in all sprains and 
contractions. 

Blue Ointment.— Take the ointment of resin, 4 ozs.; finely ground verdigris, 
y 2 oz. ; turpentine 3 ozs. ; mutton tallow, 2 lbs. ; oil origanum, y 2 oz. ; tincture of 
iodine, y 2 oz. ; mix all well. This is one of the best medicines that can be made 
for scratches, hoof-evil, cuts, and is good to apply on fistula. 



CHAPTER XXIV- 



SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. 



Stock Food.— The consumption of stock food by the farmers and stock 
raisers of this country has become enormous. There are over one hundred con- 
cerns manufacturing and selling this article. Some of them of large capital 
and extensive business. The profits are very great, One concern started twen- 
ty years ago with two-thousand dollars capital. Today is has one million dollars 
capital and does a volume of business of thirteen million dollars a year. The 
point we want to urge is make your own stock food. They are all about alike, 
and are made substantially after the following formula: 

To make the highest grade of stock food take; gentian, sulphur, 
saltpeter, resin, black antimony, ginger, fenugreek and charcoal, of 
each 1 lb.; pulverize thoroughly. Add y 2 lb. of cayenne, y 2 lb. of 
cream of tartar, also fine. Take 5 lbs. of linseed meal and 15 lbs. 
of shorts and mix the above with it thoroughly, taking care that no 
lumps of any of the drugs remain. Add two lbs. of fine salt and 



mix. 



This makes over thirty pounds of superior stock food, equal to any on the 
market and better than most of them and ought not to cost you over seventy- 
five cents for the entire lot, while at prices charged by the manufacturing con- 
cerns, it would cost you about $5.00. Your stock need just such a tonic. You 
can provide it cheaply. Give two tablespoonfuls of above food twice a day m 
each horse's food. It had better be mixed in a mash of ground feed. For young 
horses, reduce the dose. For cattle, make it three tablespoonfuls at each feed. 

What we have said of stock food is equally true of poultry food. For a 
poultry food equal to the best, that will ward off roup and colds and increase 
the production of eggs: 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 159 

Take of sulphur, powdered charcoal, and ginger, each 3 lbs.; cay- 

«n D il 5 w'. 5 HnSeed meal 6 lbs ' ; Sh0rts 20 lbs - and S round alfa1 ^ 
60 lbs. Mix thoroughly and in feeding to poultry, mix one part of 

food with six parts of ground feed, wet and somewhat warm. 

This hundred pounds of poultry food will cost you less than four dollars, 
while an analysis would show that it is stronger in medical power that nine- 
tenths of the goods on the market, which would cost you $20.00 for the same 
quantity. 

A good disinfectant is absolutely essential to the well-being of stock For 
this, nothing is more effective than one part carbolic acid to ten parts of water 
It is very cheap. Ten gallons of it will cost but little. Sprinkle chicken houses, 
roosts, nests and also all your stables and outhouses with it. It exterminates lice 
and vermin generally, and purifies the air. 

If your horses are badly worked down, prepare the following: 
Take gentian, sulphur, and charcoal, of each 5 lbs.; linseed meal 25 lbs Mix 
all together thoroughly, and then mix it all with 500 lbs. of ground alfalfa. Give 
one pint of this in each horses feed twice a day. In addition, take the follow- 
ing: tincture of asafoedita, 1 oz.; tincture of cantharides, 1 oz.; oil of anise, 1 oz.; 
oil of cloves, 1 oz.; oil of cinnamon, 1 oz.; antimony, 2 ozs.; fenugreek,' 1 oz ; 
whisky y 2 gallon. Let it stand a week and give 30 drops in a pail of water twice 
a day. The result will gratify you. 

If at any time any disease among your stock does not yield to the treatment 
indicated m this work, or you are in doubt as to diagnosis, write immediately 
setting forth all the facts, to the Veterinary Staff, Farmers' Protective Direc- 
tory Company, at the home office. 



INDEX. 

CHAPTER I.— Introduction.— pp. 3-5. 

CHAPTER II.— The Horse. Diseases of the Skin and Sub-Cutaneous Tissues- 
Scratches-— Grease, or Cracked Heels— Thrush— Swelled Ankles— Swell- 
ed Legs— Surfeit— Mange— Ringworm— Hide-Bound— Saddle Galls, or 
Sitfasts— Fungous Collar Tumors— Warts— Vermin— Mallenders and 
Sallenders— Poll Evil— Fistula.— pp. 6-25. 

CHAPTER III.— Diseases of the Glands and Nasal Membranes. Glanders— 
Farcy— Distemper— Nasal Gleet— Nasal Polypus— pp. 26-31. 

CHAPTER IV.— Diseases of the Throat, Chest and Lungs. Chest Founder- 
Bronchitis— Pneumonia, or Inflammation of the Lungs— Pleurisy— Colds 
Enlarged Glands and Goitre— Swelled Throat, or Laryngitis— Chronic 
Cough— Broken Wind; Bellows; Heaves— Influenza— pp. 32-43. 

CHAPTER V.— Diseases of the Stomach and Bowels. Sour Stomach— Colic— 
Bots— Spontaneous Salivation— Chronic Gastritis— Inflammation of the 
Peritoneum— Parasites Which Infest the Intestines— Diarrhoea— pp. 
44-52. 

CHAPTER— VI.— Diseases of the Liver, Urinary Organs, etc. Yellow Water- 
Inflammation of the Kidneys— Profuse Staling, or Diabetes— Thick and 
Albuminous Urine— Suppression of Urine — pp. 53-57. 

CHAPTER VII.— Diseases of the Teeth and Mouth. Aptha— Inflammation of 
the Parotid Gland— Sore Mouth or Tongue— Scald Mouth— pp.58-60. 

CHAPTER VIIL— Diseases of the Heart, Blood, etc. Thumps— Enlargement 
of the Heart— Inflammation of the Absorbents— Scarlatina.— pp. 61-6o. 

CHAPTER IX.— Diseases of the Brain. Mad Staggers— Blind Staggers— Ab- 
scess Within the Brain— pp. 66-71. 

CHAPTER X.— Diseases of the Muscles and Tendons. Blood Spavin— Bog 
Spavin— Curb— Thorough-pin— Tetanus, or Lockjaw— Cramps— Rheu- 
matism— Groggy Knees— Sweeny of the Shoulder— Sweeney of the Hip 
—Bone Spavin— pp.72-79. 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 161 

CHAPTER XI.— Diseases of the Eye. Naturally Weak Eyes— Sore Eye Lids- 
Moon Eyes — Cataract — Enlargement of the Hock — Ringbone — pp. 
80-84. 

CHAPTER XII.— Diseases of the Feet. Cracked Hoofs— Hoof Rot— Corns- 
Injuries of the Frog — Canker — Sand Crack — Toe Crack — pp. 85-90. 

CHAPTER XIII.— Miscellaneous Minor Diseases. Epithelial Cancer — Stings 
and Bites— Thick Wind— Wind Galls— pp. 91-92. 

CHAPTER XIV.— Medicines. What to Keep, How to Obtain, How to Prepare, 
and How to Give Them— pp. 93-105. 

CHAPTER XV.— Breeding. What to Breed, How to Breed, and Care of Mares 
and Foals— pp. 106-111. 

CHAPTER XVI.— Raising the Colt. Instructions How to Feed, Care for, and 
Train— pp. 112-114. 

CHAPTER XVII.— Diseases of Cattle. Their Causes; How to Know Them; 
What to Do; General Instructions for Diagnosis and Administering of 
Medicine — pp. 115-121. 

CHAPTER XVIII. — Gestation; Diseases and Accidents Thereof; and Other Dis- 
eases More or Less Common. Epizootic — Malignant Catarrh — Lice — 
Fouls in Cattle — Horn Ail — Diarrhoea— Cow Pox — pp. 122-128. 

CHAPTER XIX.— Diseases of Sheep. Lockjaw— Palsy— The Scab— Foot Rot 
— Fouls, and Travel Sore — Gravel — Inflamed Biflex Canal — Maggoty 
Sheep — Lung Worms — Intestinal Worms — Rot, or Liver Fluke — pp. 129 
134. 



CHAPTER XX. — Diseases of Swine. Malignant Epizootic Catarrh — Intestinal 
"Hog Cholera" — Contagious Pneumo-Enteritis — Quinsy — Rising of the 
Lights — Pneumonia — Catarrh in Head — Lice — Diarrhoea — pp. 135-141. 

CHAPTER XXL— Diseases of Fowls and Remedies. Roup— Egg Bound- 
Inflammation of Egg Passage — Cholera — Gapes — Black Rot — Catarrh — 
Crop Bound — Diphtheria, or Croup — Pip — Rheumatism — Laying Soft 
Eggs — Lice — pp. 142-146. 



162 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

CHAPTER XXII.— Diseases of Dogs and Their Treatment. Asthma— Bronchi- 
tis — Common Cold — Influenza — Pleurisy — Pneumonia — Consumption — 
Rheumatic Fever — Distemper — Inflammation of the Stomach — Inflam- 
mation of the Liver — Inflammation of the Bowels — Mange — Canker of 
the Ear — Fleas and Lice — Chorea, or Jerks — Fits — Worms — Rickets — 
Puerperal Fits — Protracted Labor — Sprains — To Harden Tender Feet 
—pp. 147-155. 

CHAPTER XXIIL— Some Valuable Recipes— pp. 156-157. 

CHAPTER XXIV.— Some Practical Suggestions. Stock Food, How to Make- 
Poultry Food — Horse Tonic — Disinfectant — pp. 158-159. 



ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SUBJECTS. 

A 

Ankles, Swelled - 11 

Aptha 58 

Absorbents, Inflammation of 62 

Abscess within the Brain » 70 

Asthma 147 

After-Birth, Retention of . . 123 

B 

Bowels, Inflammation of 152 

Bellows 41 

Bites 91 

Biflex Canal, Inflammation of 132 

Blood Spavin 72 

Bots 47 

Broken Wind 41 

Brain, Abscess within 70 

Bog Spavin 72 

Bone Spavin 79 

Breeding 106 

Black Rot 144 

Bronchitis, In Dogs 147 

Bronchitis, In Horses 32 

Blind Staggers 68 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 163 



Catarrh in the Head 140 

Canker 88 

Cataract 82 

Cancer, Epithelial 91 

Cattle, Diseases of 115 

Calves, Treatment of .124 

Colic, In Horses 45 

Colds 37 

Chronic Cough 40 

Cracked Heels 7 

Cramps 75 

Cracked Hoofs 85 

Crack, Toe 89 

Crack, Sand 89 

Curb, 73 

Colts, How to Raise 112 

Catarrh, Malignant, in Cattle , 126 

Chest, Diseases of 32 

Cow-pox 127 

Collar Tumors 19 

Catarrh, Malignant Epizootic 135 

Chicken Cholera 143 

Common Cold, In Dogs 147 

Chorea 154 

Cholera, In Chickens 143 

Consumption, In Dogs 149 

Catarrh, In Chickens 144 

Chest Founder 32 

Croup 145 

Crop Bound 144 

Canker of the Ear 153 

Corns 86 

D 

Diseases of Dogs 147 

Distemper, in Horses ' * 28 

Diabetes 54 

Distemper, In Dogs 149 

Diarrhoea, in Swine 141 

Diarrhoea, in Horses 50 

Diarrhoea, In Cattle 127 



164 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Doses, Graduating 104 

Doses of Medicine , 101 

Disease, Diagnosis of, in Cattle 118 

Diphtheria 145 

Dogs, Diseases of 147 

Disinfectant 159 

E 

Egg Bound 143 

Epizootic Catarrh, Malignant 135 

Epizootic, In Cattle 125 

Egg Passage, Inflammation of 143 

Enlarged Glands 39 

Enlargement of the Hock 82 

P 

Farcy 28 

Fistula 23 

Fowls, Diseases of 142 

Foot Rot 131 

Frog, Injuries of 87 

Fouls, on Cattle 126 

Fouls, on Sheep 132 

Fleas and Lice 153 

Fits 154 

G 

Galls 18 

Gastritis 48 

Gestation 122 

Gapes 143 

Glanders 26 

Gleet, Nasal 30 

Grease 7 

Groggy Knees 77 

Gravel 132 

Glands, Diseases of 26 

Goitre 39 

H 

Hidebound 17 

Heaves 41 

Hoofs, Cracked 85 

Hoof Rot 85 

Hock, Enlargement of 82 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 165 

Heart, Enlargement of , 62 

Horse Tonic . 159 

Hog Cholera 136 

Horn Ail 127 

I 

Inflammation of Absorbents 62 

Inflammation of Parotid Gland 58 

Inflammation of Biflex Canal 132 

Inflammation of the Lungs 34 

Introduction 3 

Inflammation of the Kidneys 53 

Inflammation of Egg Passage 143 

Inflammation of Peritoneum 49 

Inflammation of the Stomach, in Dogs 151 

Inflammation of the Liver, in Dogs 151 

Inflammation of the Bowels, in Dogs 152 

Influenza, in Dogs 148 

Influenza, in Horses 42 

Injuries of the Frog 87 

J 
Jerks 154 

E 
Kidneys, Inflammation of 53 

L 

Laryngitis 39 

Liver Fluke 133 

Lockjaw, in Horses , 74 

Lockjaw, in Sheep 129 

Liver, Inflammation of 151 

Lice, on Cattle 126 

Lice, on Swine 140 

Lice, on Fowls 145 

Lice and Fleas, on Dogs 153 

Lungs, Inflammation of 34 

Lungs, Diseases of 32 

Lung Worms 132 

Laying Soft Eggs 145 

Legs, Swelled 12 

M 

Maggoty Sheep 132 

Medicines, How to Give Cattle 116 



166 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Medicines, What to Give 93 

Measure of Medicine 101 

Moon-Eyes 81 

Mallenders 21 

Mad Staggers 66 

Mange, in Horses 14 

Mange, in Dogs 152 

N 

Nasal Gleet 30 

Nasal Polypus 31 

Nasal Membranes, Diseases of 26 

P 

Parotid Gland, Inflammation of 58 

Parasites, Intestinal 50 

Peritoneum, Inflammation of 49 

Pip 145 

Poll Evil 22 

Pleurisy, in Horses 36 

Pleurisy, in Dogs 148 

Palsy 129 

Paralysis, Temporary 124 

Pneumonia, in Horses 34 

Pneumonia, in Swine 140 

Pneumonia, in Dogs 148 

Polypus 31 

Poultry, Diseases of 142 

Pneumo-Enteritis 138 

Profuse Staling 54 

Puerperal Fits 155 

Poultry Food, How to Make 158 

Q 

Quinsy 140 

B 

Rheumatism, in Horses 75 

Rheumatism, in Fowls 145 

Rheumatic Fever 149 

Rickets 155 

Roup 142 

Rising of the Lights - 140 

Ringworm 16 

Ringbone 83 



THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 167 

Rot 133 

Recipes 156 

S 

Sand Crack 89 

Scarlatina 64 

Stock Food, How to Make 158 

Sitfasts 18 

Saddle Galls 18 

Scab 130 

Scratches 6 

Sheep, Diseases of 129 

Sour Stomach 44 

Sore Eye Lids 80 

Stomach, Inflammation of 151 

Swine, Diseases of 135 

Swelled Ankles 11 

Swelled Legs 12 

Swelled Throat 39 

Sweeny of the Shoulder 77 

Sweeny of the Hip 78 

Scald Mouth 59 

Sore Tongue 59 

Sore Mouth 59 

Spontaneous Salivation 47 

Spavin, Blood 72 

Spavin, Bog 72 

Spavin, Bone 79 

Staggers, Mad 66 

Staggers, Blind 68 

Stings 91 

Strangles 140 

Sprains 155 

Sallenders 21 

Suppressed Urine 56 

Suggestions 158 

Surfeit 13 

T 

Tetanus 74 

Thorough-pin , 73 

Thrush 10 

Toe Crack 89 



168 THE FARMERS' VETERINARY GUIDE. 

Thumps 61 

Tonic for Horses 159 

Throat, Diseases of 32 

Thick Wind 91 

Tender Feet 155 

Tumors 19 

U 

Urine, Thick and Albuminous 55 

Urine, Suppression of 56 

V 

Valuable Recipes 156 

Veterinary Surgeons 159 

Vermin 21 

W 

Warts 20 

Weights and Measures 101 

Wind-galls 92 

Worms, in Dogs 154 

Worms, Lung 132 

Worms, Intestinal 133 

Y 
Yellow Water 53 



MAY 10 1907 



